Up to 250 mm of Heavy Rain Expected in Central Regions Tomorrow Morning; CDSCHQ Calls for Preemptive Evacuations in Vulnerable Areas

[Financial News]  
Although rain is falling across most of the country on the night of the 30th, many areas are seeing a temporary lull. Heavy rain is expected to return early on the 31st, mainly in southern Gyeonggi Province, southern Gangwon Province, and the Chungcheong region. The government is checking preemptive restrictions and evacuation systems for vulnerable areas such as landslide-prone zones and underpasses.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain was falling across most of the country at 10 p.m. on the 30th under the influence of a stationary front, though many areas were experiencing a lull. Some parts of the Jeolla region were seeing around 10 mm of rain per hour.
From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., one-hour rainfall reached 16.0 mm in Hyeonsan, Haenam, South Jeollanam-do; 13.7 mm in Wando; 13.5 mm in Byeonsan, Buan, North Jeolla Province; and 11.7 mm in Suncheon, South Jeollanam-do. In the Gyeongsang region, 7.5 mm was recorded in Saryangdo, Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, and 4.8 mm in Namhae County.
From midnight to 10 p.m. on the 30th, the heaviest cumulative rainfall was recorded on Nakwoldo in Yeonggwang, South Jeollanam-do, with 208.0 mm. It was followed by 164.2 mm in Boseong County, 135.0 mm in Iyang, Hwasun, 127.5 mm in Dado, Naju, and 122.3 mm in Imsil County, North Jeolla Province.
In the Gyeongsang region, rainfall reached 121.5 mm in Ulgi, Ulsan Metropolitan City; 111.0 mm in Buksang-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do; 70.0 mm in Songbaek, Miryang; 68.5 mm in Habin, Daegu; and 66.2 mm in Jinju. In the Chungcheong region, rainfall measured 48.0 mm in Gagok, Yeongdong; 45.9 mm in Geumsan County; 44.0 mm in Yeonmu, Nonsan; and 33.5 mm in Yanghwa, Buyeo.
Although the rain has eased in many areas, strong and heavy rainfall accompanied by gusts, thunder, and lightning is still possible across most of the country through the 31st. In particular, southern Gyeonggi Province, southern Gangwon Province, and the Chungcheong region are expected to see 20 to 50 mm of rain per hour, with some areas receiving more than 80 mm per hour. Total rainfall in some places is forecast to exceed 250 mm.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held a meeting at 10 p.m. on the 30th, chaired by Kim Gwang-yong, deputy head of CDSCHQ and head of disaster and safety management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, to review the response to the heavy rain.
Earlier, after heavy rain alerts were issued for Gwangju, Ulsan Metropolitan City, North Jeolla Province, and North Gyeongsang Province, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the heavy rain crisis alert from "Attention" to "Caution" at 5 p.m. and activated CDSCHQ Level 1.
CDSCHQ said areas that have already seen heavy rainfall could face a higher risk of landslides, steep-slope collapses, and failures of retaining walls or embankments. It ordered stronger monitoring of dangerous areas, access restrictions, and preparations for preemptive evacuations.
It is also carrying out intensive inspections of flood-prone areas such as riverside walking paths and underpasses. If danger is feared, residents are to be alerted quickly through civil defense sirens, emergency disaster text messages, and village broadcasts.
In particular, local governments, police, fire authorities, and other relevant agencies have been instructed to share real-time information in anticipation of heavy rain concentrating during the early morning hours.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has dispatched senior-level field situation managers to five regions — Daejeon, Sejong City, South Chungcheong Province, North Chungcheong Province, and North Jeolla Province — to check preventive measures and support systems for resident evacuations. It will also maintain a 24-hour emergency response system until the heavy rain subsides.
Kim Gwang-yong, deputy head of CDSCHQ, said, "We will make every effort, centered on CDSCHQ, to minimize casualties caused by heavy rain during the vulnerable early-morning hours." He added, "During heavy rain, please refrain from going outside and avoid approaching dangerous areas such as landslide-prone zones and riversides."

[email protected] Reporter Lee Bo-mi Reporter