Heavy Rainfall and Landslide Warnings in Gyeonggi Province
In Yeoncheon, a landslide warning was issued, and access to the Osancheon submerged bridge was temporarily restricted.
Between the nights of the 25th and 26th, heavy rains accompanied by lightning struck Gyeonggi Province, causing damages. According to the Capital Region Meteorological Agency, as of 7 a.m. on the 26th, the recorded cumulative rainfall was 136.5mm in Changsu, Pocheon, 95.5mm in Cheongsan, Yeoncheon, 82.5mm in Habongam, Dongducheon, 51mm in Pyeongtaek (Hyeondeok), 49mm in Yangpyeong and Icheon (Majang), 47mm in Gwangju (Opo), and 43.5mm in Goyang.
Currently, heavy rain advisories are in effect for Pocheon, Yeoncheon, and Dongducheon. A heavy rain warning was briefly issued for Pocheon, while special heavy rain alerts were announced and then lifted for Paju and Yangju. Due to the increased risk of landslides from the concentrated heavy rain, landslide warnings have been issued for Yeoncheon-eup and Cheongsan-myeon in Yeoncheon, and advisories are in effect for the Changsu, Youngjung, Idong, Yeongbuk, and Gwanin areas in Pocheon. The heavy rain advisories for four southern cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province were lifted by 7 a.m.
Lightning along with the heavy rainfall caused several incidents. At around 10:53 p.m. on the 25th, a fire, likely caused by lightning, broke out in a warehouse in Dongducheon, burning one building (600 square meters) and its contents, resulting in an estimated property damage of 46 million won (according to the fire department’s estimate). As water levels rose in the Osancheon in the southern region, the submerged bridge and Dugokgyo riverbed road were closed in both directions around 6:36 a.m., but the restriction was lifted by 7:29 a.m.
The Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters reported no casualties from the heavy rainfall. Since 6 p.m. the previous day, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government declared an emergency level 1 at the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, restricting access to 35 parking lots and 1,381 riverbank areas. The Meteorological Agency has predicted an additional 10-60mm of rain in Gyeonggi Province, with some areas potentially exceeding 80mm.
An official from the Meteorological Agency stated, “Precipitation accompanied by lightning is still ongoing in areas like Yangpyeong and Yeoju, so accidents should be avoided.”