129 Damage Reports as Downpour Dumps 75.5mm of Rain on Northern Seoul

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds battered Seoul on the 18th, flooding roads and toppling street trees in a string of incidents across the city. Gangbuk District was at one point hit with 53.5mm of rain per hour, with the downpour concentrated in northern Seoul. As of 9 p.m., Gangbuk recorded the highest accumulated rainfall at 75.5mm, followed by Eunpyeong with 68.0mm, Seongbuk with 65.0mm, Dobong with 64.0mm, and Nowon with 53.0mm.

As of 5 p.m., the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters had received a total of 129 damage reports. According to the city government, facility safety incidents accounted for the largest share with 60 reports, followed by 47 requests for drainage support and 21 fallen trees.

The downpour forced closures of roads and streams across the city. The underpass of Jeungsan Bridge in Seodaemun District and a road in Yeongdeungpo 8-ga, Yeongdeungpo District, were temporarily closed, while access was restricted at 29 streams including the Jungnang, Yangjae, and Ui streams. A street tree toppled in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam District, and a road near Yeonsinnae Station in Eunpyeong District was flooded.

The foul weather also took a toll on outdoor events. Performances at the Grand Mint Festival, set to be held at Olympic Park in Songpa District, were canceled, and the Saewoojeot (fermented shrimp) Festival at Mapo Naru was halted.

The city government activated 12 rainwater pumping stations to drain flooded areas. After the heavy rain advisory was lifted at 3:30 p.m. and the rain subsided, the city ended its emergency response at 7 p.m.