Jeonnam and Gwangju hit by heavy rain and flooding

Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding and property damage across the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions in South Korea. As of the morning of August 16, over 100 emergency reports were filed, with the majority of incidents concentrated in Mokpo.

Significant impacts include flooded commercial buildings, basement inundation, and fallen trees blocking roads in areas such as Naju. While no fatalities have been reported, emergency services rescued two individuals from a flooded shop in Mokpo. Transportation has also been affected, with several ferry routes suspended and hiking trails in national parks like Jirisan and Mudeungsan partially or fully closed.

Rainfall totals have reached significant levels, with Haenam recording 178.5 mm and Mokpo seeing its highest hourly rainfall for August on record. In response to the escalating weather conditions, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the heavy rain crisis alert level to ‘Caution’. The Korea Meteorological Administration warns that heavy rain is expected to continue through August 17, with some southern coastal areas potentially receiving up to 200 mm of additional precipitation.