Major Streams Including Cheonggyecheon Closed Due to Sudden Heavy Rain in Seoul

As a heavy rain advisory has been issued for most areas of Seoul, major streams such as Cheonggyecheon are currently closed off.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other sources on May 16, access to 18 streams, including Cheonggyecheon, Dorimcheon, and Anyangcheon, has been restricted since the afternoon to prevent flooding. This has resulted in traffic congestion during the evening commute. According to Seoul Traffic Information Center TOPIS, the average speed in downtown Seoul is 8.2 km/h, while the average speed across the entire city is 13.9 km/h.

Districts such as Yongsan-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu have sent out disaster alert messages advising residents to avoid low-lying areas and streams, and warning against entering underpasses that are at risk of flooding.