[Anchor]

Heavy rain has been falling across the country overnight and continues to pour. The Chungcheong region, in particular, is experiencing intense rainfall. We connect to our reporter stationed by the Geumgang River in Sejong. Looking at the scene behind you, it seems like quite a lot of rain has fallen, and are there reports of thunder and lightning as well?

[Reporter]

In the Chungcheong region, including here in Sejong, rain has been repeatedly starting and stopping throughout the day since yesterday, July 8.

The rain intensified a short while ago, and the water level of the Geumgang River behind me has risen significantly due to the continuous rainfall.

Access to the riverside is currently restricted.

Since yesterday, more than 170mm of torrential rain has poured down in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province.

In particular, during the evening hours yesterday, the region saw extremely heavy rain reaching 73mm per hour.

Additionally, 163mm of rain has fallen in Yanghwa-myeon, Buyeo-gun, South Chungcheong Province, and 146mm in Jang-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.

Heavy rain warnings are currently in effect for areas across the Chungcheong region, including Daejeon, Sejong, and the counties of Goesan and Gongju in North Chungcheong Province.

The South Chungcheong provincial government has activated its emergency level 2 regional disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters, and the Korea Forest Service has raised its landslide crisis alert from caution to alert for six cities and provinces, including Daejeon, Sejong, Gangwon, Chungcheong, and North Jeolla Province.

[Anchor]

Have there been any casualties?

[Reporter]

Damage has been reported in various parts of the Chungcheong region.

Yesterday afternoon, a 30-something motorcyclist died after slipping on a rain-slicked road in Geumneung-dong, Chungju, North Chungcheong Province.

In Sejong, a portion of a road was temporarily closed yesterday afternoon due to a landslide, and as of 5:00 a.m. today, 33 reports of flooded roads and fallen trees have been filed in Daejeon.

In Taean, Dangjin, and Asan in South Chungcheong Province, trees have fallen onto roads, and in Tancheon-myeon, Gongju, rainwater flooded the interior of a nursing hospital.

Due to this rain, 28 people in North Chungcheong Province and 106 people in South Chungcheong Province have evacuated their homes and are currently in temporary shelters.

This monsoon rain is expected to reach a major peak this morning.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has advised caution, stating that up to 200mm of additional rain could fall in the Chungcheong region through today.

(Video reporting: Kim Min-cheol, Video editing: Shin Se-eun)