Heavy Rain Warning Across Seoul Hit by 'Water Bomb'... First Emergency Disaster Alerts in Guro, Yeongdeungpo, and Dongjak

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a heavy rain warning for the southeastern, northeastern, and northwestern areas of Seoul at 3:20 PM on the 11th. Accordingly, the heavy rain warning area has expanded to cover the entire city of Seoul, including the previously warned southwestern region.

On the 11th, when heavy monsoon rain was pouring, residents near Ewha Bridge in Seoul were moving while using umbrellas. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

A heavy rain warning is issued when the expected rainfall exceeds 90mm in 3 hours or 180mm in 12 hours. The rain is so heavy that it becomes difficult to see ahead, and caution is advised against accidents such as flooding.

Along with this, the KMA sent emergency disaster messages (CBS) around 4 PM on the same day to concentrated heavy rain areas in Seoul’s Guro-gu (Guro-dong), Yeongdeungpo-gu (Daerim-dong, Singil-dong), and Dongjak-gu (Daebang-dong, Sindaebang-dong, Sangdo-dong, Sangdo 1-dong).

On the afternoon of the 11th, when the monsoon rain fell nationwide, water flowing down along the drainage of Seosomun Overpass in Jung-gu, Seoul, was flowing onto the nearby road. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The emergency disaster messages sent on this day were dispatched directly by the KMA without going through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which allows for faster delivery of disaster-related information to residents in the affected areas.

Since the 15th of last month, the KMA has been conducting a pilot project in the Seoul metropolitan area to send emergency disaster messages when extreme heavy rain meets both conditions of '50mm in 1 hour' and '90mm in 3 hours.' This was the first time such messages were sent.

A KMA official urged, "Special precautions are necessary against damage caused by the heavy rain, especially in the areas where the disaster messages were sent."