[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 13th, when a heavy rain warning was issued for the central region, heavy rain of 30 to 50 mm per hour poured over the Seoul metropolitan area, causing numerous rain-related damages both large and small.
At around 3:05 PM that day, near Namwonju IC on the Jungang Expressway in Wonju-si, Gangwon Province, a 4-ton truck overturned on the wet road, injuring three people seriously and moderately. This accident caused severe traffic congestion near Namwonju IC.
Earlier, at around 2 PM, part of KTX Gwangmyeong Station was flooded. A large amount of soil from the nearby Sinansan Line railway construction site flowed into the underground floors 1 and 2 of Gwangmyeong Station along with rainwater, covering the stairs and platforms in muddy water.
In Gasan-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, a farm was submerged in water. In Beopwon-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, a tree fell, and at a building in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, a signboard fell, prompting fire authorities to take safety measures.
Some roads were also closed. As the Jungnangcheon River rose, Seoul City temporarily closed the Dongbu Expressway Surak Underpass to Seongsu JC entrance and the Inner Circular Road Majang entrance to Seongdong JC section. Incheon City closed the underpass rabbit tunnel under the Gyeongin Expressway in Samsan-dong, Bupyeong-gu.
As of 6 PM, rainfall amounts recorded include 160.9 mm in Incheon, 155.0 mm in Namhyeon, Seoul, 150.5 mm in Gwangmyeong, 137.5 mm in Bucheon, and 122.5 mm in Namyangju. These areas experienced heavy rain of 30 to 50 mm per hour at times.
Dams in the Han River system such as Uiam Dam, Cheongpyeong Dam, and Paldang Dam are adjusting water levels as inflow increases. In response to the heavy rain forecast, Gyeonggi Province is operating the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at emergency level 1, and Incheon City has issued emergency level 2 to prepare for rain damage.
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