Flood damage continues across Seoul... Flood warnings issued for Gangseo, Eunpyeong and Mapo, Dongbu Expressway restricted

[Financial News] Heavy rain fell across Seoul overnight, triggering flood warnings in some areas and restricting traffic on major roads and streams, causing a series of damages. As of 7:30 a.m. on the 18th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued flood warnings for Gangseo District, Eunpyeong District and Mapo District. Flood advisories were also issued for Mapo District and Yangcheon District, and residents in low-lying areas and near streams were urged to pay special attention to safety.
Water levels in streams also rose rapidly as intense rain continued from the early morning hours. The Han River Flood Control Office issued a flood advisory for the Neobudaegyo Bridge section of Mokgamcheon and asked nearby flood-prone areas to prepare.
With a landslide crisis alert in effect across the Capital Region, Eunpyeong District and Dobong District issued landslide-related warnings, while Mapo District took preventive measures such as restricting access to forest areas.
Road restrictions also continued. As Jungnangcheon rose, two-way traffic on the Dongbu Expressway between the Surak Underpass and Seongsu Junction was fully suspended early that morning. A vehicle fire also broke out in Yongma Tunnel in Jungnang-gu, temporarily restricting traffic inside the tunnel.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that by this morning it had received 120 rain-related complaints, including 89 requests for drainage support, four reports of fallen trees and 27 requests for facility safety measures.
As of 7:30 a.m., access to 29 streams in Seoul remained restricted, while vehicle traffic was also limited on parts of major roads, including the area under Jeungsan Bridge, the area under Haengju 1 Bridge, the Dongbu Expressway and Garam-gil. Twenty rainwater pumping stations were operating partially to minimize flood damage.
After the heavy rain alert was issued, Seoul activated Level 2 emergency duty and deployed 6,642 city and district officials to conduct intensive inspections of flood-vulnerable areas such as streams, low-lying zones and storm drains. The city is also maintaining contact systems for vulnerable groups and continuing real-time responses.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the rain is expected to continue until the 19th. Forecast rainfall for Seoul is 100 to 200 mm, with some areas likely to receive more than 300 mm. In fact, Eunpyeong District recorded cumulative rainfall of 166 mm, while Seodaemun District saw torrential rain reaching 64.5 mm per hour.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said, "As there is a possibility that heavy rain will continue, we will maintain our emergency response system and do everything we can to ensure the safety of citizens," and urged residents to avoid low-lying areas and stream banks and to check weather updates frequently.

[email protected] Kang Jung-mo Reporter