Heavy Rain Hits Areas Scarred by Wildfires; Nationwide Monsoon Rain Expected Tomorrow

[Anchor]

Heavy rain that struck the southern regions last night (July 18) has resulted in over 800 reports of damage across the country. In the North Gyeongsang Province region, where the downpour was particularly intense, residents who lost their homes to wildfires last year are now facing flood damage before their wounds have even begun to heal.

Reporter Dong Eunyeong has the details on the situation.

[Reporter]

A temporary housing unit stands precariously, tilted at a 45-degree angle.

Puddles have formed in the yard, and the interior of the home is covered in mud.

This is a temporary housing complex in Gwimi-ri, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, where residents who lost their homes in last year's wildfires are staying.

The heavy rain swept through before they could even recover from the scars of the fire.

[Shin Hyo-seop/Resident of Iljik-myeon, Andong, North Gyeongsang Province: The door wouldn't open, perhaps because it was flooded. So I opened the window and jumped out, and the water was this high. My neighbor and I held hands and headed to higher ground...]

The situation in Uiseong County is no different.

Roads have collapsed to the point where they are unrecognizable, and utility poles have fallen helplessly.

Residents who evacuated to the village community center are left feeling uncertain about when they will be able to return home.

[Kim Si-cheon/Resident of Gugye-ri, Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province: The electricity is cut off, the water is cut off, so we can't even eat anything...]

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has received a total of 827 reports of damage, including flooded homes and roads.

While there were no casualties, heavy rain poured down mainly in the southern regions last night, with 65.5mm per hour in Andong and up to 46mm in Uiseong. In North Gyeongsang Province alone, 321 households, totaling 420 people, had to evacuate overnight.

The rain, which had briefly paused, began falling again this afternoon, mainly in the North Gyeongsang region, with over 50mm per hour. Heavy rain warnings were issued for areas including Uiseong and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province, and Gunwi in Daegu.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that rain will continue nationwide tomorrow, with up to 80mm of heavy rain expected in the Chungcheong region and up to 60mm in the Seoul metropolitan area and the Gyeongsang region.

The government has decided to maintain the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at a Level 2 response status for the time being to manage the aftermath and prevent further damage.

(Video reporting: Lee Jung-woo, TBC | Video editing: Choi Jin-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.