The Monsoon Front Moves South Again... Temporary Lull in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Rain Across the Country as It Moves North Again on the 20th

The monsoon front that swept through the Seoul metropolitan area and central regions for two days has moved back to the southern regions. Starting from the weekend on the 20th, the stationary front is expected to move north again, bringing nationwide rain.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 5 a.m. on the 19th, there were no areas under heavy rain warnings, and the rain temporarily subsided. However, as the monsoon rain moved to the south, heavy rain advisories were issued for Gwangju and the Jeonnam region.

Due to heavy rain in the metropolitan area causing the Han River water level to rise, pedestrian access on the Jamsu Bridge was prohibited on the morning of the 18th. Citizens who were walking across the Han River are turning back. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

The accumulated rainfall from midnight to 5 a.m. on that day was highest in Yeonggwang, Jeonnam with 56.5 mm, followed by Boseong, Jeonnam with 37.0 mm, and Gangjin, Jeonnam with 29.5 mm. However, since the Central Disaster Headquarters was activated on the night of the 16th, the amount of rain during the same time in the Seoul metropolitan area decreased. On the 17th, Paju recorded an accumulated rainfall of 132.0 mm from midnight to 5 a.m., and on the 18th, 143.5 mm, marking record-breaking heavy rain.

Rain will temporarily stop in the Seoul metropolitan area, but heavy rain centered on the southern regions is expected to increase rain-related damage. From the 16th to this day, 282 hectares of farmland in Jeonnam and 363 hectares in Gyeonggi were submerged. There were 455 cases of house flooding and 15 cases of vehicle flooding. More than 1,000 households were evacuated due to the rain. As of 4 a.m. on this day, 1,372 households and 1,944 people had evacuated, and the government provided temporary housing facilities to 570 households and 823 people using senior centers, village halls, religious facilities, and public facilities.

Educational facilities such as schools also suffered damage. By 5 p.m. the previous day, a total of 117 schools had facility damage. Nineteen schools were flooded, and 74 schools experienced leaks. Adjustments to academic schedules, such as changes in school start times and shortened classes, were made in 128 schools nationwide. In response, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated, "The Ministry of Education will do its best to restore disaster damage through necessary administrative and financial measures, including special disaster safety management grants."

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the weekend of the 20th and 21st will be mostly cloudy nationwide with rain in most areas. Rain in the southern regions, including Jeju Island, is forecast to mostly stop by the afternoon of the 21st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.