Flood warning for Imjingyo Bridge on the Imjin River upgraded as Pilsunggyo Bridge water level reaches 10.1 meters

[Financial News]  As the water level of the Imjin River rose rapidly due to releases from North Korea's Hwanggang Dam and heavy rain, the flood advisory for the Imjingyo Bridge area in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, was upgraded to a flood warning. The water level at Pilsunggyo Bridge is also just 1.9 meters short of the 12-meter threshold for the border-area crisis response 'caution' stage, prompting residents, campers and others near the river to remain especially vigilant.
The Hangang Flood Control Office upgraded the flood advisory for the Imjingyo Bridge area to a flood warning at 3:30 p.m. on the 21st.
As of 3:20 p.m. that day, the water level at Imjingyo Bridge stood at 10.3 meters. It was rising by 0.1 to 0.2 meters every 10 minutes, and the office expected it to reach the 10.8-meter flood-warning threshold around 4:30 p.m. The Imjin River basin manages floods in four stages based on the water level at Pilsunggyo Bridge. When the level exceeds 1 meter, the 'evacuation of river recreation visitors' stage is issued. At 2 meters, the 'evacuation of lives during the non-flood season' stage is triggered. At 7.5 meters, the border-area crisis response 'watch' stage is issued, and at 12 meters, the 'caution' stage is declared.
A flood advisory was also issued for the Biryong Bridge area downstream on the Imjin River at 3:40 p.m. As of 3:30 p.m., the water level at Biryong Bridge was 10.5 meters, close to the 11.5-meter threshold for a flood advisory.
The water level at Pilsunggyo Bridge, located at the northernmost point of the Southern Limit Line, had risen to 10.1 meters as of 3:20 p.m. That left it 1.9 meters below the 12-meter threshold for the border-area crisis response 'caution' stage.
The water level at Gunnam Dam, downstream from Pilsunggyo Bridge, also rose to 34.8 meters. With 7,298 tons of water flowing in per second, it is approaching the planned flood level of 40 meters. Hantangang Dam began releasing water through its main spillway at 3 p.m. that day.
The Hangang Flood Control Office and Yeoncheon County said in disaster safety alerts that "some bridges may be restricted as the water level of the Imjin River rises" and urged "recreational visitors, campers, fishermen and residents near the river to stay away and evacuate to a safe place."
Yun Ho-jung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ), said, "In managing the situation and ensuring resident safety, please keep every possible scenario in mind in connection with the rapid rise in water levels caused by the release from Hwanggang Dam." He added, "Relevant agencies should share situation updates quickly and activate a close cooperation system."

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter