Geoje Hit by 577 mm of Rain in a Day in Record-Breaking Downpour... One Dead in Landslide and Flood Damage [Summary]

[Financial News] Record-breaking torrential rain battered the southern coast of South Gyeongsang Province for three days over the Liberation Day holiday, causing widespread casualties and property damage. Geoje received more than 800 mm of rain over the three-day period, and 545.3 mm fell on the 17th alone, setting a new daily rainfall record since observations began. A landslide sent debris crashing into the lower floors of an apartment building, killing one person and injuring four. Roads and homes across the area were flooded or washed away. More than 150 residents in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province evacuated to avoid landslides and flooding. The government activated CDSCHQ Level 1 and deployed emergency firefighting resources.
According to the KMA on the 17th, cumulative rainfall in Geoje from the 15th through 1 p.m. that day reached 851.1 mm. Tongyeong recorded 704.8 mm. Heavy rain also fell along the southern coast, including 441.0 mm on Gadeokdo in Busan and 380.5 mm in Samcheonpo, Sacheon.
In Geoje, 633.2 mm had fallen by 4 p.m. that day, the highest daily rainfall ever recorded there since observations began in 1972. Among the 97 nationwide weather observation stations tracked by the KMA, it was the third-highest daily total on record. The only heavier rainfall was 870.5 mm in Gangneung and 712.5 mm at Daegwallyeong Pass during Typhoon Rusa on Aug. 31, 2002. Tongyeong also set a new record, with daily rainfall reaching 450.0 mm by the same time, the highest since observations began in 1968.
The intensity of the rain over a short period was also unprecedented. Geoje's highest hourly rainfall reached 124.5 mm, far exceeding the previous record of 96.5 mm set on July 5, 2001. Tongyeong also broke its record with 97.4 mm, surpassing the previous high of 86.5 mm set on July 30, 1999.
The KMA analyzed that, based on the annual maximum hourly rainfall, this storm corresponded to a '200-year event' in Geoje and a '100-year event' in Tongyeong. It said the rainfall intensity was statistically at a level that could occur once every 200 years and 100 years, respectively. The average summer rainfall from 1991 to 2020 was 935.1 mm in Geoje and 728.8 mm in Tongyeong. During this holiday period, Geoje received about 91% of its average summer rainfall, while Tongyeong received about 97%, all in less than three days.
The record-breaking downpour was driven by a low-pressure system formed after Typhoon Dolphin weakened. As the system moved northeast from the southwest of the Korean Peninsula, hot and humid air flowed strongly into the southern coast. When that air met the terrain of the southern coast and Jeju Province, rain clouds developed rapidly. Continued moisture supply from the warm waters of the southern sea also helped intensify the rainfall.

The record rainfall led to landslides and flooding. In Geoje, debris from a landslide covered the lower floors of an apartment building. One person died and four others were injured in the storm.
In Gollido, Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong, another landslide buried one house in debris, and one resident was trapped before being rescued. Across South Gyeongsang Province, including Geoje and Tongyeong, roads were washed out or submerged, and flooding hit homes and shops. In some areas, city and intercity bus services were also disrupted.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety activated CDSCHQ Level 1 at 6 a.m. after heavy rain intensified across Busan, South Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Province, with flooding and isolation incidents continuing.
The NFA issued a National Fire Mobilization Order for Geoje and Tongyeong and concentrated firefighting resources there. Fire authorities received 1,947 reports related to the heavy rain and carried out 20 rescue operations, saving 136 people. A total of 387 personnel, including 361 firefighters from the Gyeongsangnam-do Fire Department and 26 support personnel under the mobilization order, were deployed along with 84 pieces of equipment. The National 119 Rescue Headquarters also sent 47 personnel and 13 vehicles and equipment units. After rescue operations were completed, crews continued drainage work, debris removal, recovery efforts, and additional safety measures.
To support recovery efforts, the government decided to provide 3 billion won in special disaster safety management grants to Jeollanam-do, Busan and South Gyeongsang Province. It will also provide 40 million won in disaster relief funds to support evacuated residents.
Meanwhile, the prolonged drought affecting agricultural water supplies in South Gyeongsang Province was largely eased by the rain. As of 2 p.m. on the 17th, the agricultural reservoir rate across 18 cities and counties in the province stood at 43.1%, rising to 61.7% of the normal level of 69.8%. The six southern coastal cities and counties that saw the heaviest rain — Changwon, Geoje, Tongyeong, Sacheon, Goseong County, Gangwon Province and Namhae County — have exited drought conditions. Miryang, however, remains in the 'severe' drought stage.
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter