CDSCHQ Activated at Level 1 as Geoje Hit by 782 mm of Rain; 603 Damage Reports Filed
- Input
- 2026-08-17 07:49:58
- Updated
- 2026-08-17 07:49:58
[Financial News] As cumulative rainfall of 782.5 mm poured down on Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province and heavy rain warnings were issued for Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju Province, the government activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ). In Geoje, rescue operations were launched after more than 20 residents were stranded by flooding, while more than 100 residents in another village evacuated urgently to avoid landslide risks.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 17th, Level 1 of the CDSCHQ was activated at 6 a.m. after heavy rain warnings were issued for Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju Province. Heavy rain warnings were also in effect for Busan, Jeju Province, and Tongyeong, Geoje, Goseong County, Sacheon, and Namhae in South Gyeongsang Province. Heavy rain advisories were issued for Ulsan and Sancheong County, Jinju, Yangsan, Gimhae, Miryang, Changwon, and Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province.
In Geoje, residents were repeatedly stranded and evacuated urgently. More than 20 residents of Hoejin Village were trapped by flooding and other damage, prompting rescue efforts, while more than 100 residents of Ye-sol Village moved quickly to safe locations as the risk of landslides grew.
Rainfall reached record levels, centered on Geoje. As of 6 a.m., cumulative rainfall was measured at 782.5 mm in Geoje, 628.9 mm in Tongyeong, and 428.5 mm in Busan's Gangseo district. Geoje recorded a peak hourly rainfall of 124.5 mm, while Busan's Gangseo district saw 101.5 mm and Tongyeong 97.4 mm.
Damage reports also surged, especially for roads and homes. A total of 603 reports of heavy-rain damage, including road blockages and flooded houses, were filed, with 555 of them coming from South Gyeongsang Province alone. That accounted for 92.0% of all reports.
As the downpour continued, movement on land and at sea was also restricted. Operations on three passenger ferry routes involving three vessels were suspended, and access to 299 sections in five national parks was blocked. Including riverside walking paths and parking areas on floodplains, access was restricted at 826 sites across six cities and provinces.
Yoon Ho-jung, head of the CDSCHQ and minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said the relevant agencies would make every effort to protect public safety until the rain stops and recovery work is completed. He also urged residents to check disaster alerts and other hazard notices frequently and to stay away from dangerous areas such as rivers and landslide-prone zones.
[email protected] Jung Ji-woo Reporter