On the 13th, extreme heavy rain exceeding 100mm per hour hit the central regions including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon, leading to significant flooding and casualties. Some areas recorded over 200mm of rain in one day, and images of submerged facilities like the Gayang Bridge and Gimpo Airport quickly spread on social media.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the accumulated rainfall until 10 p.m. that day was 255.5mm on Incheon’s Yeongjongdo, 248.5mm in Gimpo, Gyeonggi, 234.5mm in Dobong, Seoul, 233.5mm in Goyang, Gyeonggi, 218.5mm in Yangju, Gyeonggi, 130.5mm in Cheorwon, Gangwon, 128.5mm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi, and 76.0mm in Hongseong, Chungnam. The highest rainfall in 60 minutes was recorded at 149.2mm in Ongjin, Incheon as of 9:14 a.m.
On social media, a user uploaded a video while passing over Gayang Bridge in Seoul, showing the bridge entirely submerged and vehicles moving through water reaching the bumpers. Netizens were amazed, commenting, “It’s the first time seeing Gayang Bridge flooded,” and “Can a bridge higher than the Han River be flooded?” In fact, the section from World Cup Bridge South to Gayang Bridge South on Olympic-daero towards Gimpo was closed to traffic due to the heavy rain.
Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, also suffered flooding around 5 p.m., with water pooling in front of the international gate and spilling through glass doors, causing concerns about flight disruptions, though the water has since receded.
Additionally, on social media, videos of sculptures being swept away by rising water on the Uicheon promenade in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul went viral.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as of the morning of the 14th, 202 people from 124 households in Seoul, 238 people from 173 households in Incheon, and 293 people from 203 households in Gyeonggi were evacuated. There were also reports of 118 general flooding incidents, 187 road floods, 29 landslides, and 26 cases of farmland flooding.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted an additional 50 to 150mm of rain by the afternoon, with some areas receiving up to 180mm. Authorities urged caution for morning commuters and advised avoiding dangerous areas like rivers and valleys.