Capital Region Landslide Risk Alert Raised to 'Caution'... Gyeonggi Activates Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

On the 28th, affected by the monsoon, raindrops gathered on the glass window of a building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from night, heavy rain will concentrate in Seoul and other central regions, causing localized downpours, and by the day after tomorrow, more than 300mm of heavy rain is expected in the central and northern areas. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The Korea Forest Service announced on the 28th that it will raise the landslide risk alert from 'Interest' to 'Caution' for three cities and provinces?Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon?effective at 6 p.m.

This is due to the start of the full rainy season, with an expected rainfall of 170 to 200 mm in these areas by the 30th. The landslide risk alert is issued in four stages: Interest, Caution, Warning, and Severe. The other cities and provinces will maintain the Interest level.

The Korea Forest Service is thoroughly preparing in advance for major risk areas such as landslide-prone zones and areas damaged by forest fires to prevent landslide damage.

Im Sang-seop, Director of Forest Protection Bureau, urged residents in areas where the landslide risk alert 'Caution' stage has been issued to pay close attention to emergency disaster messages or village broadcasts and to evacuate quickly in case of emergency.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will operate the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters from 9 p.m. on the same day until the situation ends. A heavy rain advisory was issued for all 28 cities and counties except Yeoju, Icheon, and Anseong from midnight to 6 a.m. on the 29th. For Yeoju, Icheon, and Anseong, the advisory is expected to be in effect from 6 a.m. to noon on the 29th.

A strong wind advisory was also issued for 20 cities and counties including Ansan, Hwaseong, Gunpo, Seongnam, Gwangmyeong, Anseong, Yongin, Uiwang, Pyeongtaek, Osan, Anyang, Suwon, Paju, Yangju, Goyang, Yeoncheon, Gimpo, Bucheon, Siheung, and Gwacheon. Accordingly, the province will operate the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Emergency Level 1 from 9 p.m. on the 28th.

The Level 1 (Caution) Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is composed of 18 members led by the Natural Disaster Division Chief, and it plans to escalate to Level 2 (Warning) or Level 3 (Severe) depending on future weather conditions.