Heavy Rain Eases for Now, Dongbu Expressway Reopens... Strong Rain Forecast Again Overnight

[Financial News] The torrential rain that battered Seoul overnight eased somewhat in the afternoon of the 18th, and traffic conditions are gradually returning to normal as some major road restrictions have been lifted.
However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is maintaining an emergency response posture after the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast strong rain with gusts, thunder, and lightning starting tonight.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, flood warnings were issued overnight for Gangseo District, Eunpyeong District, and Mapo District, while flood advisories were issued for Mapo District and Yangcheon District.
As the water level of Mokgamcheon rose sharply, the Han River Flood Control Office issued a flood warning for the Neobudaegyo Bridge area, but it was lifted in the afternoon as rainfall decreased and water levels stabilized.
The Korea Forest Service (KFS) is maintaining a landslide crisis alert at the 'caution' level across the Seoul metropolitan area. In Seoul, landslide advisories and preliminary warnings were issued for Eunpyeong District and Dobong District, respectively, while Mapo District restricted access to forest areas and urged residents to prepare for landslide risks.
Dongbu Expressway, which had been fully closed early this morning due to rising water levels in Jungnangcheon, reopened to traffic in both directions after 11 a.m. However, a vehicle fire at Yongma Tunnel in Jungnang-gu has kept some sections under traffic restrictions.
A total of 120 damage reports were received from the rain. Requests for drainage support accounted for the largest share at 89, followed by four reports of fallen trees and 27 requests for facility safety measures.
As of 1 p.m., access to 22 streams in Seoul, including Jungnangcheon, Jeongneungcheon, Mokdongcheon, and Seongbukcheon Stream, remained restricted. Some roads that had been closed earlier in the day, including the underpasses beneath Jeungsan Bridge and Hangju 1 Bridge, Dongbu Expressway, and Garam-gil, were reopened in stages.
Immediately after the heavy rain advisory took effect, Seoul Metropolitan Government activated Level 2 emergency duty and deployed 6,642 city and district officials. After the advisory was lifted, it shifted to a reinforcement duty system and continues to inspect vulnerable areas such as river levels, low-lying areas, and storm drains.
The KMA lifted the heavy rain warning that had been in effect across Seoul earlier in the morning, but said there is still a chance of more heavy rain through the 19th. Forecast rainfall is 100 to 200 millimeters, with some areas possibly receiving more than 300 millimeters.
"Although the heavy rain advisory has been lifted, additional rainfall is expected, so we will continue inspections and monitoring of flood-prone areas, rivers, and landslide-risk zones," the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, adding that it also asked residents to check weather updates frequently and stay safe.
vrdw88@fnnews.com Kang Jung-mo Reporter