Torrential Rains of Over 80mm Per Hour Turn Areas to Water; Vacationers Stranded

[Anchor]

The skies over the eastern and western parts of the Korean Peninsula were completely different today (the 8th). Heavy rain advisories and warnings were issued for the east coast of Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces. In particular, Gangneung was hit with torrential rain exceeding 80mm per hour, causing roads and stores to be flooded.

Reporter Jo Jaegeun has the details.

[Reporter]

Vacationers cautiously cross a valley stream aboard a rubber boat.

At around 9:00 a.m. today, valley waters suddenly rose at Baekdam Valley in Inje-gun, stranding seven vacationers who were playing in the water. They were safely rescued by the 119 rescue services.

Localized heavy downpours of nearly up to 100mm poured down on the east coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province until this afternoon.

In particular, Gangneung was pummeled with torrential rain of 80mm per hour around 9:30 a.m., flooding roads and stores in various places.

The damage was exacerbated as drainage systems were blocked with trash and foreign substances, preventing water from draining on time.

[Kim Gil-young / Flood-affected Merchant: Trash flowed in and clogged everything, and that water, the water from the valley of Gangneung Medical Center, all overflowed this way.]

Ten roads were flooded and a residential wall collapsed due to the heavy rain in Gangneung, but fortunately, there were no casualties.

At around 10:10 a.m., four vehicles collided on a rainy road near the Daegwallyong Tunnel 7 on the Yeongdong Expressway, injuring three people.

High waves crashed ashore as a gale warning was in effect for the sea.

Swimming was banned at beaches, turning disappointed vacationers away.

[Lim Eun-ju & Lim Ye-wu / Juan-dong, Incheon: We were planning to go into the sea for a bit and then grill some fish this evening, but when we came out during the day, the waves were crashing and we couldn't get into the water at all, which is a bit disappointing. (We are so disappointed.)]

With forecasts predicting an additional 30 to 80mm of heavy rain—and over 100mm in some areas—expected to fall in the mid-southern east coast and mountainous regions of Gangwon Province until the day after tomorrow, thorough preparations are required to prevent rain damage.

(Video by: Kim Dae-chul | Footage provided by: Gangwon Fire Headquarters | Footage reported by: Gangneung City Autonomous Disaster Prevention Unit, Song Young-hoon, Kim Min-gi)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.