Over 208 flood damage incidents nationwide due to overnight heavy rains; Seoul's Dongbu Expressway fully closed

Heavy downpours have battered South Korea, leading to widespread damage and disruptions, with over 208 incidents reported overnight. The capital, Seoul, experienced severe flooding, forcing the complete closure of the Dongbu Expressway in both directions. The metropolitan area, particularly hit by rainfall exceeding 60mm per hour, saw numerous flood-related issues.

As of 7:30 a.m. on July 18, Seoul issued flood warnings for Gangseo, Eunpyeong, and Mapo districts, with flood advisories for Mapo and Yangcheon. These warnings are triggered by rainfall rates of over 50mm per hour or 90mm within three hours, while advisories are issued for rates exceeding 55mm per hour or 20mm in 15 minutes.

The Han River Flood Control Office issued a flood warning for the Neobeudae Bridge section of the Mangwon Stream in Seoul at 4:50 a.m., urging vulnerable areas to prepare for potential flooding. The Korea Forest Service issued a landslide crisis alert for the entire Seoul metropolitan area, with specific landslide advisories and preliminary warnings for Eunpyeong and Dobong districts, respectively.

Amidst the heavy rain, the water level in the Jungnangcheon Stream rose, leading to the full closure of the Dongbu Expressway from Surak Underpass to Seongsu JC at 5:37 a.m. By 5 a.m., authorities had recorded 208 incidents, including 186 cases of soil and rock erosion and 22 instances of residential and road flooding.

In Incheon, similar damage occurred, with 54 flood-related reports received between midnight and 5 a.m. Firefighters responded to flooded homes in Guwol-dong and Bugae-dong, and roads in Gwan-gyo-dong and Ganseok-dong were submerged. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the flood damage crisis alert to 'precaution' and activated a Level 2 emergency response at 4:30 a.m., with Interior Minister Yoon Ho-joong emphasizing the priority of preventing casualties and ordering thorough checks of vulnerable areas like underpasses and riverbanks.