Central region hit by 'water bomb' as flood response escalates; Fire Dept. activates central control

South Korea has elevated its flood response to Level 2 and activated Level 2 emergency duty as heavy rainfall continues to batter the central region. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) made the decision early on July 18, following the issuance of heavy rain warnings for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon provinces.

Significant rainfall has already exceeded 120mm in many locations, and the forecast indicates a potential for an additional 300mm or more across the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province by July 19. This follows an earlier activation of Level 1 response on July 17 for areas including Daegu, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and Gyeongbuk.

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The government will actively implement all possible measures, even if they seem excessive, to minimize casualties.

Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yoon Ho-joong, has directed all agencies to prioritize preventing loss of life. This includes rigorous inspections of at-risk areas such as underpasses, riverbanks, and landslide-prone zones, with a mandate for immediate resident evacuation if dangers are identified. Special emphasis was placed on disseminating warnings through all available means, including civil defense sirens and emergency text messages, to ensure residents, particularly those in camping or outdoor facilities, are alerted to evacuate promptly, especially given the concentration of rainfall during nighttime hours.

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Citizens should also frequently check weather information and disaster alerts from the authorities and actively follow the public action guidelines.

Furthermore, Yoon stressed the importance of ensuring resident safety even after the rain stops, warning of lingering risks like landslides and flash floods, and advising against returning home until safety is confirmed. He also called for attention to the safety of emergency responders and urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines, such as refraining from travel during hazardous weather and avoiding dangerous areas.

In parallel, the Fire Department has proactively activated its Central Emergency Rescue Control Center to manage the national response. This center, led by the acting Fire Commissioner, will oversee situation response, emergency teams, and on-site management. The Fire Department stated its commitment to real-time monitoring of flood damage and response efforts, ensuring rapid deployment of firefighting resources to areas with a high risk of casualties.

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We plan to respond with all our might by managing flood damage and firefighting response situations in real-time and swiftly supporting necessary firefighting capabilities in areas with potential casualties.