Continued Control of 9 Locations Including Dongbu Expressway and Olympic-daero... Concerns Over Evening Commute Congestion

Heavy Rain Warning Lifted Across Seoul
Increased Discharge from Paldang Dam Raises Han River Water Levels
Some Sections of Naebusunhwan-ro Now Open for Normal Traffic

Although the heavy rain warning issued across Seoul on the 18th has been lifted, traffic on major roads in the city continues to be restricted due to rising water levels in the Han River caused by the discharge from Paldang Dam.

Due to heavy rain in the metropolitan area causing the Han River water level to rise, pedestrian traffic on the Jamsu Bridge was prohibited on the morning of the 18th. A citizen who was walking across the Han River is turning back. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

As of 5 p.m. that day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that traffic is being controlled on both directions of Dongbu Expressway along its entire length, the Olympic-daero Yeoui upstream IC and the ramp leading to the 63 Building, Jamsu Bridge, Gwangun-ro, Garam-gil, Jeungsan Bridge, Yeongdong 1 Bridge, and under Cheolsan Bridge. Four riverside parking lots and two sluice gates (Pungnap Fortress and Yongdap) are also closed.

Due to heavy rainfall in the central region, the discharge volume from Paldang Dam increased to 8,500 tons per second after 1:30 p.m., causing the Han River water level to rise. Vehicles passing through the affected areas must take detours. This is expected to cause traffic congestion during the evening rush hour.

However, vehicle traffic on some sections of the Seoul Inner Circular Road heading toward Seongsu (from Majang to Seongdong), which had been temporarily restricted in the morning, is now operating normally. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to monitor weather conditions and river water levels to gradually lift traffic restrictions.