10 Aug 2022 | 02:34 AM UTC
South Korea: Recovery efforts ongoing following flooding in northern regions as of early Aug. 10 /update 1
Recovery efforts ongoing following flooding in northern South Korea, as of Aug. 10. Casualties, damage reported. Additional rain forecast.
Event
Recovery efforts are ongoing in northern South Korea as of early Aug. 10 after heavy rainfall triggered flooding late Aug. 8. Seoul and Incheon cities as well as Gyeonggi Province were the worst hit. Flooding caused road transport and subway service disruptions and triggered power outages.
Latest reports indicate at least nine fatalities and 17 injuries across Seoul and Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, while seven others remain missing; the death toll could rise as recovery operations progress. Floodwaters have damaged at least 2,600 buildings across northern South Korea, mostly in Seoul. Around 570 people from 398 households have been displaced, mostly in Seoul and its surroundings. Officials have also temporarily evacuated another 1,253 people from 724 households across the country. As of early Aug. 10, most highways and subway lines have resumed services, including the Seoul Subway Line and Dongbu Expressway. The Olympic and Gangbyeon Northern highways through Seoul remain closed.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast across northern South Korea. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has issued heavy rain warnings across Gyeonggi and southwestern and far northwestern Gangwon provinces, as well as Incheon Metropolitan City and Seoul Special City as of early Aug. 10. Forecast models indicate that rain is likely to continue across the affected area through at least Aug. 12. Officials could update and extend the coverage of the relevant weather alerts over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.
Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Further disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows could render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.
Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions where flooding has been forecast. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
