Seoul hit by severe flooding and Dongbu Expressway closures amid extreme rains

Intense rainfall across the Seoul metropolitan area, Incheon and Gyeonggi on 18‑19 May produced 80‑200 mm of rain, with some locations recording over 250 mm. The downpour triggered flood warnings in Gangseo, Eunpyeong and Mapo districts and prompted the full closure of the Dongbu Expressway (from Sullak underpass to Seongsu junction). After about five hours, traffic on the expressway was restored.

The storm also caused widespread damage elsewhere: more than 300 people were evacuated in North Gyeongsang Province as landslide alerts were heightened from “watch” to “caution”, and dozens of flood‑related incidents were logged in Seoul, Incheon and surrounding regions, totaling 208 reported cases. Authorities issued over 120 flood‑related complaints and activated emergency response teams.

Meteorologists forecast continued heavy rain and thunderstorms through 24 May, with further risk of flash floods, river overflow and landslides, especially in the capital’s low‑lying areas and in the mountainous inland zones.