Government Launches Emergency Response to Heavy Rain... Four Major Disaster Risk Factors Converge This Weekend (Comprehensive)

Up to 300 mm of Heavy Rain Expected Over Two Days
Response Posture Strengthened Following the Strategy Meeting on the 17th
Yoon Hojung: "Be Prepared with the Determination That There Is No Such Thing as Overreacting"

With up to 300 mm of rain forecasted for the Seoul metropolitan area over the next two days starting tomorrow (the 18th), the government is making all-out efforts to prevent damage from heavy rain.

On the 9th, heavy rain caused branches and other debris to accumulate in the restaurant and shopping district below Donghaksa Temple on Gyeryongsan Mountain in Banpo-myeon, Gongju City, Chungnam Province. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 17th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety dispatched field situation managers to nine cities and provinces where heavy rain is expected this weekend. In addition, the ministry will preemptively initiate Phase 1 emergency operations of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, starting at midnight.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Meteorological Administration, on this day, heavy rainfall is expected in the southern areas of Chungcheong Province, and starting early on the 18th, the largest rainfall of this summer season is forecast for the Seoul metropolitan area and central regions.

Between early morning and noon on the 18th, strong and heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds, thunder, and lightning at a rate of 30–50 mm per hour is expected to hit the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Province, and Chungcheong region.

The expected rainfall for the two days, the 18th and 19th, is as follows: ▲ Seoul metropolitan area 100–200 mm (with some areas exceeding 300 mm); ▲ Gangwon Province 100–200 mm (inland mid/southern Gangwon exceeding 300 mm in some areas); ▲ Chungcheong region 80–150 mm (northern Chungnam/Chungbuk exceeding 250 mm in some places); ▲ Jeolla region 30–80 mm (northwestern Jeonbuk up to 100 mm); ▲ Gyeongsang region 50–100 mm (northern Gyeongbuk up to 150 mm).

Citizens holding umbrellas are hurrying near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This weekend is extremely critical due to the convergence of four risk factors: the official start of the summer vacation season, the period when 90% of casualties in the past three years occurred, a three-day holiday, and intense rainfall expected during the early morning hours.

In particular, continued caution is necessary as the recent heavy rains in Chungcheong and the Seoul metropolitan regions have already caused both large and small damages, raising the risk of repeated accidents.

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, convened a strategy meeting with related agencies at the Seoul Government Complex on this day. He ordered that weather conditions be carefully checked and stressed strengthening emergency response readiness, including thorough situational management and reporting systems, to ensure there are no gaps in heavy rain preparedness during the holiday.

Minister Yoon said, "Local governments and related organizations must maintain a stronger response posture than ever before," and urged, "Prioritizing the prevention of human casualties must be the top objective, so please remain vigilant until the heavy rain subsides."

He went on to emphasize, "With firm resolve that there is no such thing as overreacting when it comes to protecting lives, establish an emergency response posture during the holiday period and prepare thoroughly so that immediate action can be taken at the first sign of risk."

As the holiday season brings crowds to mountain valleys, campsites, and campgrounds, Minister Yoon stressed the importance of checking such sites in advance to prevent human casualties and, where risks are identified, controlling access and evacuating people beforehand.

He also instructed that areas prone to flooding—such as semi-basement dwellings, old houses, and vulnerable infrastructure like aging reservoirs and small streams—be monitored in real time, and immediate access restrictions put in place if any warning signs are detected. He directed authorities to promptly evacuate residents in cooperation with the resident evacuation support teams.

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is giving opening remarks at the meeting of related organizations preparing for heavy rain on the 18th to 19th, held at the Seoul Situation Center on the afternoon of the 17th. Provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

For areas that have previously experienced flooding, Minister Yoon called for the thorough maintenance of drainage systems, such as storm drains and pumping stations, to prevent a recurrence of flooding during the heavy rains.

As rainfall is expected to intensify overnight, he requested that all available means—such as emergency disaster text alerts, village broadcasts, and civil defense systems—be used to quickly disseminate information about disaster situations.

Finally, Minister Yoon ordered that relevant authorities—including local government officials, police, and fire departments—in areas under heavy rain warnings or watches, share related information in real time, and that personnel responding onsite take sufficient safety measures before proceeding with response actions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.