On Tuesday the 26th, skies across the country will be mostly cloudy, with rain starting before dawn and spreading to most regions by morning.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain will begin before dawn in the western coast of Incheon and Gyeonggi, Jeolla Province, and western Gyeongnam, then spread nationwide between morning and afternoon. Heavy rainfall is expected, especially in the southern regions and on Jeju Island.
Expected precipitation is 20 to 80 mm for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk. Gwangju, Jeonnam, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam are forecast to receive 50 to 100 mm of rain. In some areas of the southern coast of Jeonnam, the southern coast of Gyeongnam, and around Jirisan, more than 150 mm of rain could fall.
The KMA said very intense rain may concentrate over short periods, mainly in the southern regions. Even the same amount of rain can overwhelm drainage systems if it falls in a short time, causing flooding first in low-lying urban areas. The agency urged special caution for flooding in low-lying areas, landslides, and river overflows.
Morning lows are forecast at 16 to 22 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 22 to 28 degrees Celsius. Waves at nearshore waters of the East Sea and the South Sea will be 0.5 to 2.0 meters, while those in the West Sea will be 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Offshore waves are expected to reach 0.5 to 2.0 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 to 2.5 meters in the West Sea, and 1.0 to 3.5 meters in the South Sea.
What should be checked before the rain starts?
The key to reducing damage is preparation before the rain becomes intense. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s public safety guidelines emphasize advance checks.
At home, check whether drains and the surrounding drainage outlets are clogged and clear them if necessary. Prepare apartment underground parking lots and buildings that may flood with water barriers and sandbags.
Move vehicles parked near rivers to safer places. Residents in low-lying or frequently flooded areas should confirm evacuation sites such as administrative welfare centers and schools, as well as evacuation routes, with their families in advance.
Keep disaster information channels open as well. In addition to TV and radio, installing the Safety Step app on your smartphone will allow you to receive heavy-rain alerts and disaster text messages in real time.
Where is the most dangerous when the rain pours?
Do not enter flooded roads, underpasses, or bridges, either on foot or by vehicle. Never attempt to pass through a waterlogged underpass, even for a short distance.
In mountainous areas, valleys, and along riverbanks, the risk of being swept away by fast-moving water is high, so leave quickly. Hiking, camping, water activities, and fishing should be stopped immediately. Avoid construction sites, streetlights, traffic signals, and utility poles because of the risk of electric shock.
In the mountainous areas of the southern region, the risk of landslides is high. If you see signs such as rocks rolling down slopes or water seeping from an incline, immediately evacuate to a higher place in the opposite direction from the hillside.
For campers in mountainous areas where heavy rain is forecast, such as around Jirisan, moving to a safe location in advance is safer.
It is also important to help neighbors who may have difficulty evacuating. When evacuation is needed because of flooding or landslides, move together with elderly people, children, and people with disabilities or other mobility limitations.
Even after the rain stops, dangers remain. In flooded homes, check the status of gas and electrical breakers and use the property only after receiving a professional safety inspection. Do not consume food or drinking water that has been flooded, as it may cause food poisoning.
As this rain is likely to pass quickly but intensely, the surest way to reduce damage is to keep checking forecasts and avoid approaching dangerous areas.