Jeonnam Hit by Over 400mm 'Water Bomb'... 3,331 Damage Reports Filed

Landslides and House Flooding Occur One After Another

At around 8:29 PM on the 7th, a mountainside in Gokseong-gun collapsed, causing three houses to collapse and be buried, resulting in four deaths and one person missing. Photo by a reader

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Heavy rain exceeding 400mm concentrated over two days in the Jeonnam region, leading to a series of damage reports.

According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration on the 8th, from the previous day until the current time (8 a.m.), the rainfall recorded was 440.5mm in Damyang, 412mm in Hwasunbuk, 387mm in Gokseong, 376mm in Jangseong, 296mm in Naju, 287.5mm in Gurye, 281.0mm in Wolya (Hampyeong), 268mm in Hwangjeon (Suncheon), 250mm in Baegunsan (Gwangyang), 225mm in Yeonggwang, 173.5mm in Haeje (Muan), 158.5mm in Boknae (Boseong), 157.5mm in Imjado (Shinan), 109mm in Yuchi (Jangheung), 94.5mm in Mokpo, and 92.5mm in Yeongam.

Heavy rain warnings have been issued for Hwasun, Naju, Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Suncheon, Jangseong, Gurye, Gokseong, and Damyang areas, while heavy rain advisories are in effect for Heuksando, Hongdo, Muan, Jangheung, Shinan (excluding Heuksan-myeon), Mokpo, Yeongam, Gwangyang, and Boseong.

From 6 p.m. the previous day to 8 a.m. on the current day, the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters received 3,311 damage reports.

These include 1,075 natural disaster cases, 1,076 rescues, 223 emergency medical services, 38 fires, and 889 others.

In Damyang County, where 87mm of heavy rain fell in one hour from 3 a.m., a house collapsed around 4:11 a.m. due to the heavy rain. Firefighters who responded are currently conducting rescue operations, understanding that two people were inside the house.

Additionally, in Bongsan-myeon, a report was received that an 8-year-old boy was swept away by a stream, and fire authorities are conducting search operations.

At around 8:29 p.m. the previous day, in Seonseri, Osan-myeon, Gokseong County, a landslide occurred on a hillside behind a house, causing three houses to collapse and be buried, resulting in four deaths.

Currently, about 150 personnel from fire, police, and local governments, along with about 30 pieces of equipment including excavators, are mobilized to carry out safety measures and rescue operations.

In Gurye, at around 1:20 a.m. on the current day, hillside soil flowed out and covered a pension. Seventy-three guests were trapped in the pension but were all rescued by fire authorities.

In Suncheon, damage such as soil outflow, road flooding, and farmland flooding occurred consecutively.

Soil slid down on the road connecting Seungju-eup and Woldeung-myeon, and in Juam-myeon, part of the embankment slope of a small stream flowing through Gosan Village and Sangeo Village was lost. In Hugok Village, Songgwang-myeon, rainwater entered houses, and in Janghak Village, Byeollyang-myeon, part of a farm road was washed away by rain, while soil was pushed into the alley in Deokgye Village, Hwangjeon-myeon.

In Sinwol Village and Wolyong Village of Woldeung-myeon, 2 hectares of greenhouse facilities for chili pepper cultivation were flooded, and 1 hectare of rice paddies in Osan Village and Unryong Village of Juam-myeon was submerged.

In Jangseong, at around 6:13 a.m., the Dan-gwangcheon stream of the Hwangryong River overflowed, and local residents urgently evacuated to Wolpyeong Elementary School. Earlier, at 5:50 a.m., the artificial lake Gwangjuho and Jeungamcheon in Goseo-myeon, Damyang, were also reported to have overflowed.