Heavy Rain Hits Chungcheong Region, Causing Widespread Damage; More Torrential Downpours Expected Overnight

[Anchor]

The monsoon season has begun in earnest, with heavy rainfall concentrated in the Chungcheong region leading to a series of damages. Residents in the Chungcheong and Jeonbuk areas are urged to exercise caution as more torrential rain is expected overnight.

Reporter Park Ha-jeong has the story.

[Reporter]

The Chungcheong region saw intense rain continue and subside repeatedly throughout the day yesterday (July 8).

As of 11:00 p.m. last night, heavy rain advisories remain in effect for Daejeon, Sejong, and parts of North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, and Gyeonggi provinces.

In particular, landslide warnings were issued for Jung-gu in Daejeon, and Gongju and Seocheon in South Chungcheong Province. Citizens in these areas received emergency text messages advising them to avoid areas near forests and to evacuate to safe locations.

The rainfall recorded yesterday alone exceeded 165mm in Gyeryong and 100mm in Gongju, both in South Chungcheong Province.

In Sejong, a landslide caused a temporary road closure, while in Daejeon, flooding occurred on roads and trees were toppled.

A series of reports regarding rain-related damage have been filed across South Chungcheong Province, including trees falling onto roads in Taean, Dangjin, and Asan, and rainwater flooding the interior of a nursing hospital in Tancheon-myeon, Gongju.

Accidents on rain-slicked roads also occurred. In Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, a delivery motorcycle slipped on the wet road, resulting in the death of the driver in his 30s. Near the Jangheung Tunnel in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, a passenger car also skidded on the rain-soaked road, leading to the driver's death.

So far, 140 people from 128 households in North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, and North Gyeongsang provinces have temporarily evacuated due to the heavy rain and landslide risks.

The period until early this morning is expected to be a critical juncture.

Very strong and heavy rainfall of 20 to 80mm per hour is forecast for the central region, Jeonbuk, western Gwangju and South Jeolla, and north-central North Gyeongsang Province.

The downpours may be accompanied by gusts of wind, thunder, and lightning.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has urged the public to avoid approaching valleys or streams, refrain from camping, and take extra precautions against flooding in low-lying areas, river overflows, and flash floods.

(Video Editing: Lee So-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.