Imjin River water level exceeds 1m due to heavy rain; evacuation alert issued

Heavy overnight rains in northern Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, have caused the water level at Pilseung Bridge on the Imjin River in Yeoncheon to rise above the 1-meter evacuation level for river visitors. The Gyeonggi Provincial Government issued emergency text messages urging residents and visitors in low-lying areas along the river to evacuate to safety.

The water level at Pilseung Bridge, which had been around 0.5 meters, began to rise early Tuesday morning. By 9:30 AM, it reached 1.10 meters. The Imjin River flows from North Korea, passes through Pilseung Bridge, and continues towards Paju after passing the Gunnam Flood Control Dam. The bridge's water level triggers different alert stages: 1 meter for evacuating river visitors, 2 meters for general public evacuation during non-flood seasons, and higher levels for crisis response in border areas.

The Korea Meteorological Administration had forecast heavy rainfall for the Seoul metropolitan area, with intense downpours of 30-50 mm per hour expected in northern Gyeonggi. Between Monday morning and Tuesday morning, Namyangju recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 118 mm, followed by Cheongpyeong (114 mm) and Uijeongbu (100 mm).

Emergency services responded to 58 incidents, including nine flooded homes and 37 road obstructions like fallen trees. In Paju, firefighters pumped approximately 15 tons of water from a flooded indoor golf driving range due to a pump malfunction. No casualties were reported. Minor power outages in Siheung and Icheon in southern Gyeonggi were also restored. The heavy rain warning for ten cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi was lifted early Tuesday morning.