More heavy rain set to hit Korea's inland regions until weekend

A man with an umbrella observes water being pumped into a stream in Seoul's Guro District, Thursday, as a heavy rain warning was issued for the capital. Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

Seoul and other inland regions of the country including South Chungcheong Province are expected to see continued heavy rain until this weekend, as the country comes under the influence of a new stationary front, the state-run weather agency said, Thursday.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) called for thorough preparation in advance in order to minimize rain damage, as “successive rainfall in recent weeks has already weakened building foundations and increased the levels of streams.”

According to the KMA, 30 to 80 millimeters of rain per hour soaked Seoul and other parts of the country throughout the day on Thursday.

The weather agency issued a heavy rain advisory for the greater Seoul area and Chungcheong regions, and a heavy rain warning for Osan, Gyeonggi Province.

The agency forecasts Seoul and its surrounding areas, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, will continue to receive strong rain, a maximum of 250 millimeters, accompanied by lightning and thunder, until this weekend.

More rain, a maximum of 400 millimeters, is forecast for South Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province, as the stationary front is expected to oscillate north and south near the country.

Amid continued torrential rain that has been pounding the country, a woman in her 60s went missing near a stream in Busan on Tuesday. Local firefighters and police continued their search for her as of Thursday.

A man in his 70s was found dead in a stream in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, also on Tuesday, after being swept away in a strong current, according to local police officers. On that day, a heavy rain warning was issued for the region.

Authorities advised people not to approach streams, valleys and underground spaces as torrential rain could cause flash flooding in those areas.

“If water begins to rise in underground spaces such as underground shopping centers, or if a sewer floods, people should evacuate to the ground immediately,” an official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said.