The Korea Forest Service upgraded the landslide crisis alert level from 'Caution' to 'Alert' for Daejeon, Sejong, Gangwon, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, and North Jeolla provinces, effective as of 2:30 p.m. today (July 8).

The crisis alert levels are categorized into 'Interest,' 'Caution,' 'Alert,' and 'Serious.'

Currently, the 'Caution' level is in effect for nine cities and provinces, including Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and South Jeolla/Gwangju, while the 'Interest' level is in effect for Jeju.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts heavy rainfall, with 80 to 150 mm (up to 150 to 200 mm or more in some areas) expected in the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions, and 50 to 100 mm (up to 150 mm in some areas) in the Seoul metropolitan and Gangwon regions.

In preparation for this heavy rainfall, the Korea Forest Service has strengthened its emergency response system by elevating the head of the Landslide Prevention Support Headquarters from the Director of the Landslide Prevention Division to the Forest Disaster Control Officer.

Additionally, the agency has dispatched director-level landslide cooperation officers to the six cities and provinces where the landslide crisis alert has been upgraded to 'Alert.'

(Photo: Courtesy of Korea Forest Service, Yonhap News)