Jeolla, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang Heavy Rain Warnings... Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures본 Crisis Alert Level Raised to 'Caution'

Proactive Control of Flood-Prone Areas

As heavy rain falls across most of the country, a heavy rain crisis alert has been issued at the 'Caution' level.

On the 29th, it rained at Iho Tewoo Beach in Jeju City, which opened on the 24th, making the weekend appear quiet. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 29th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that with the issuance of heavy rain warnings in the Jeolla, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang regions, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters activated Level 1 at 5 p.m. and raised the heavy rain crisis alert level from 'Interest' to 'Caution.'

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, due to the influence of a low-pressure system and a stationary front, heavy and widespread rain is expected until the 30th, with 30 to 100 mm (over 120 mm in some areas) in the Seoul metropolitan area, 30 to 100 mm (over 120 mm in some areas) in Gangwon Province, 50 to 100 mm (over 120 mm in some areas) in the Chungcheong region, 50 to 100 mm (over 150 mm in some areas) in the Jeolla region, 30 to 80 mm (over 100 mm in some areas) in the Gyeongsang region, and 30 to 80 mm (over 120 mm in some areas) in Jeju Island.

Accordingly, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urged vulnerable groups living in underground spaces such as semi-basement houses prone to flooding to evacuate in advance in cooperation with evacuation helpers such as community leaders and autonomous disaster prevention teams. Areas at risk of flooding, such as underground roads, riverside parking lots, and low-lying roads, will be proactively controlled, and information on control and detours will be actively disseminated.

Additionally, surveillance will be strengthened in areas prone to landslides such as mountainous and steep slopes, retaining walls, and embankments, and preemptive evacuation and control measures will be implemented to prepare for dangerous situations.

Risk areas such as lowlands near rivers will also be controlled in advance, and in the event of river flooding or other hazardous situations, available media will be used to quickly disseminate information.

Lee Sang-min, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Interior and Safety), said, "As the entire country enters the influence zone of the stationary front and heavy rain is expected, the government will thoroughly prepare and maintain an emergency response system centered on the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to ensure safety management." He added, "We ask the public to check real-time weather conditions through TV, radio, mobile apps, and the internet, and to refrain from visiting dangerous areas such as mountain valleys, riversides, and lowlands to ensure personal safety."