'Like a Hole in the Sky' Water Bomb Hits Incheon, Paralyzing Entire Downtown

As of 3 PM, 98.4mm Rainfall in Incheon Jung-gu
KMA Forecasts Up to 300mm by Midnight on the 10th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] With a heavy rain warning issued across Incheon, flooding and other heavy rain damages are occurring in various parts of the city.

According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters on the 8th, 85 reports of flooding damage were received from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM on the day the heavy rain warning was issued in Incheon.

By region, Michuhol-gu had the highest number of cases with 32, followed by Jung-gu with 14, Namdong-gu 12, Bupyeong-gu 12, Seo-gu 6, Gyeyang-gu 3, Dong-gu 2, Ongjin-gun 2, Yeonsu-gu 1, and Ganghwa-gun 1.

Incheon initially issued a heavy rain advisory at 8:00 AM that day, which was upgraded to a heavy rain warning around noon. As of 3:00 PM, the daily rainfall in Jeondong, Jung-gu, Incheon was 98.4 mm. A heavy rain warning is issued when the rainfall exceeds 90 mm in 3 hours or 180 mm in 12 hours.

In Michuhol-gu, where the damage is most severe, roads near Singi Intersection and Singi Market were submerged, causing significant damage to market merchants. Additionally, a train on Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1 traveling from Juan Station to Dohwa Station slowed down while passing through flooded tracks, causing about a 20-minute delay for subsequent trains. Normal operation resumed on this section around 1:19 PM.

Jung-gu’s Sinpo International Market also suffered flooding damage. The road in front of the market was completely submerged, disrupting vehicle traffic. Fortunately, it was Monday, when fewer citizens visit, but the merchants who opened their shops were distressed. One market merchant lamented, “The sudden flooding is a problem today, but I’m worried whether we can operate normally tomorrow as well.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the road in front of the Incheon Police Agency in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, strong winds caused street trees to fall, and nearby roads and sidewalks were flooded. The situation was similar on the road in front of Bupyeong Police Station. On nearby lanes, vehicles were barely continuing to drive while more than half submerged in water.

At a car dealership in Seo-gu, as the nearby road was flooded, employees hurriedly worked to block the inflow of rainwater. An employee, Mr. A, said, “We brought all available tools to block the entrance to prevent the displayed vehicles from being flooded.”

This heavy rain is expected to continue until the day after tomorrow, raising concerns that the scale of damage will increase. A representative from the Seoul Metropolitan Weather Administration said, “It is expected that 100 to 300 mm of rain will fall in Incheon until midnight on the 10th,” and urged, “Since about 100 mm of rain is expected today alone, please prepare for heavy rain damage.”