Gwangju and Jeonnam Hit by Extreme Overnight Rainfall, Causing Casualties and Flood Damage

On the afternoon of the 3rd, when extreme heavy rain poured across various parts of Gwangju and Jeonnam, the streets of Maegokdong, Bukgu, Gwangju were flooded. Photo by a reader

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Extreme rainfall reaching up to 142mm per hour caused a series of damages across the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. All heavy rain advisories and warnings were lifted early in the morning on August 4.

According to the Gwangju Meteorological Administration, as of 5 a.m. on August 4, all heavy rain warnings and advisories issued for the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions were lifted.

From the previous night, cumulative precipitation reached 289.6mm at Muan Airport in Muan County, 257.5mm in Unnam-myeon, Muan County, 196mm in Bongsan-myeon, Damyang County, 195.9mm in Gwangju, 188.5mm in Gokseong County, and 187.5mm at Seongsamjae in Gurye County. Large amounts of rain fell in a short period in areas such as Gwangju, Muan, and Damyang.

Hourly precipitation was recorded as 142.1mm at Muan Airport, 110.5mm in Unnam-myeon, Muan County, 89.5mm in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 89mm in Bongsan-myeon, Damyang County, 87.9mm on Heuksando, Shinan County, and 87.5mm in Wolya-myeon, Hampyeong County.

The heavy rainfall at once led to a series of damages.

In Muan County, Jeonnam, a man in his 60s who was operating an excavator to create a waterway was swept away by the current and died.

In addition, 27 people (in 21 incidents) in areas such as Muan and Hampyeong were isolated in their vehicles or homes due to flooded roads but were rescued with the help of firefighters.

Including these cases, Jeonnam Fire Department responded to a total of 409 safety incidents: 261 cases of residential flooding, 5 cases of landslide or falling rock safety measures, 77 cases of road obstructions such as fallen street trees, and 24 other incidents.

In Gwangju, although there were no casualties, the fire department received a total of 173 reports of rain-related damage.

Firefighters safely rescued 31 people in 14 cases of isolation due to flooding, and responded to 79 cases of building flooding, 68 cases of road obstructions, and 12 other safety incidents. Due to concerns over residential flooding or possible landslides, 41 people from 31 households in Gwangju and 195 people from 147 households in Jeonnam evacuated.

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