Collapse and Power Outages Amid Heavy Rain Damage in Gwangju and Jeonnam

Heavy rain overnight caused a series of damages such as collapses and power outages in Gwangju and Jeonnam.

According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration on the 30th, the cumulative rainfall in the Gwangju area from midnight the previous day to noon on the same day was recorded as 55mm in Buk-gu, 51.3mm in Gwangju, 51mm in Gwangsan-gu, 43mm in Seo-gu, and 39mm in Nam-gu.

Based on the same criteria, the Jeonnam region recorded 153mm in Sinan, 89mm in Damyang, 79mm in Sangjodo, Jindo, 76.5mm in Gurye, and 74mm in Haenam.

Currently, the heavy rain advisory has been lifted in the Gwangju area, but it is still in effect in 10 cities and counties in Jeonnam (Goheung, Boseong, Yeosu, Gwangyang, Suncheon, Jangheung, Gangjin, Haenam, Wando, Jindo).

With more than 100mm of heavy rain falling, related damages followed, and a total of 25 damage reports were received.

At a new construction site in Yudeok-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, a dust-blocking fence collapsed, burying parked vehicles under the fence. Fortunately, no casualties occurred.

At around 5:35 a.m. that day near Jisan Amusement Park in Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, a retaining wall collapsed, damaging the stairs and railings of a building that served as both a house and a restaurant. Although there were no casualties, fearing further collapse, a family of four evacuated to a relative’s house via the administrative welfare center.

At the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, outdoor sound equipment that plays the "March for the Beloved" was damaged by lightning overnight and is undergoing emergency repairs.

In an apartment complex in Gaerim-dong, Dong-gu, water and power supply were cut off during rush hour due to an internal facility issue, causing inconvenience to residents of three buildings.

In Jeonnam, at around 3:10 a.m. that day, a report was received of a fallen tree on a road in Gyegok-myeon, Haenam-gun, prompting fire authorities to take action. At 6:56 a.m. the same day, an urgent safety measure was taken as a field cracked in Japoong-ri, Hampyeong-eup, posing a risk of collapsing onto a building.

Additionally, a road in Junghung-dong, Yeosu City, was flooded with rainwater, and there were damages such as fallen trees and clogged drainage pipes in various places.

Meanwhile, the monsoon season that began on the 25th brought heavy rain, restoring the water storage rates of major drinking water sources in Gwangju and Jeonnam to 73.1% at Dongbok Dam and 37.6% at Juam Dam as of that day.

A meteorological official predicted, "Strong rain of 30 to 60mm per hour is expected in Gwangju and Jeonnam until the afternoon, and on the southern coast until night."