Heavy Rain Batters Southern Gangwon Overnight; Residents Evacuate as Landslides and Rockfalls Occur

Heavy rain, falling at a rate of around 20 mm per hour, battered the southern inland and mountainous regions of Gangwon Province overnight, causing a series of damages.
The Gangwon State Fire Headquarters reported that from yesterday until 8:00 a.m. today (July 9), they responded to 17 incidents, including 12 reports of fallen trees, two rockfalls, two rescue operations, and one case of sign damage.
At 1:15 a.m. today, four residents in Beopheung-ri, Mureungdowon-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, evacuated to a nearby village community center after soil and debris flowed down from a mountain behind their homes.
Firefighters provided safety guidance to two other residents who expressed their wish to remain in their homes.
At 2:54 a.m., the Yeongwol County Office issued an emergency alert, notifying residents of a landslide warning and advising them to refrain from outdoor activities and to evacuate to safe locations such as village community centers or schools away from forested areas if an evacuation order is given.
As heavy rain accompanied by gusts, thunder, and lightning continued past midnight, reports of fallen trees also poured in.
At 3:10 a.m. today, a rockfall involving 20 tons of debris occurred on National Route 59 in Sugam-ri, Bukpyeong-myeon, Jeongseon-gun, leading to a full closure of the road. One-way traffic resumed at 7:15 a.m.
One vehicle passing through an area with less debris sustained damage to its undercarriage and had to be towed.
In Songgye-ri, Sillim-myeon, Wonju, a power outage occurred at 12:30 a.m. and was restored within an hour.
Additionally, 12 locations in the Wonju area, including riverside parking lots, low-water bridges, riverside roads, and riverbanks, as well as two riverside parking lots in the Pyeongchang area, remain closed.
According to the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration, the rainfall recorded from yesterday until 9:00 a.m. today reached 168 mm in Sillim Tunnel, Wonju; 167.5 mm in Pyeongchang; 125 mm in Mureung, Yeongwol; 92 mm in Anheung, Hoengseong; and 76.5 mm in Bukpyeong, Jeongseon.
Inland and mountainous areas are expected to receive 50 to 100 mm of rain through tomorrow (July 10), with some areas seeing more than 150 mm.
The east coast is expected to receive 5 to 50 mm of rain.
Inland regions are expected to experience intense downpours of 20 to 30 mm, or even 30 to 50 mm, per hour.
The Korea Meteorological Administration advised, "In areas experiencing rain, strong and heavy downpours accompanied by gusts, thunder, and lightning are expected, so caution is required regarding flooding in low-lying areas, river overflows, landslides, and debris flows." (Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.