'Heavy Rain Warning' in Gangwon: Up to 80mm Per Hour, Roads Flooded and Vacationers Stranded (Comprehensive)

Heavy Rain Warnings Upgraded Across Gangwon on August 8

Gangneung Hit by Torrential Downpour Exceeding 80mm Per Hour

Vacationers Rescued After Becoming Stranded by Flash Floods in Inje

On August 8, the east coast of Gangwon Province was hit by heavy rainfall exceeding 80mm per hour, resulting in flooded roads and the rescue of vacationers who became stranded in mountain valleys due to the downpour.

The Korea Meteorological Administration upgraded the heavy rain advisory to a heavy rain warning for the Gangneung flatlands at 9:05 a.m. on the same day. In Yonggang-dong, Gangneung, rainfall peaked at 81.4mm per hour. As of 9:12 a.m., hourly precipitation reached 70.1mm in Yonggang-dong and 45mm in Bangdong-ri, Sacheon-myeon.

At 9:14 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration sent an emergency disaster alert warning of potential flooding, as more than 50mm of rain per hour fell near Jungang-dong in Gangneung, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Due to the torrential rain, roads across Sacheon-myeon, Gyodong, Jungang-dong, and Jibyeon-dong were temporarily flooded—deep enough, at times, to submerge car wheels. As the rainfall subsided, water levels receded and traffic returned to normal. At around 10:10 a.m., on the Yeongdong Expressway towards Gangneung near Daegwallyeong Tunnel No. 7 in Seongsan-myeon, Gangneung, multiple vehicles collided on the rain-slicked road. Three people were injured and transported to the hospital as a result of the accident.

Wall collapsed due to rain. Gangwon Province Fire Department.

At around 9:45 a.m., a residential wall in Wondae-ro, Gangneung collapsed due to the heavy rain, but no casualties were reported. At 9:00 a.m., the Gangneung city government escalated the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' emergency work to Level 2. Mayor Kim Jungnam inspected the underground level of Jungang Market and nearby shops to check the drainage situation and assess areas at risk of flooding.

In Donghae's flatlands, a heavy rain warning was also issued at 9:20 a.m. Donghae City raised its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to emergency Level 2, restricting access to vulnerable sites such as underpasses and riverside areas vulnerable to flooding.

In Inje, a number of vacationers were stranded due to rapidly rising water in a mountain valley. At approximately 8:58 a.m., seven people became isolated in a stream near the Baekdamsa Temple parking lot in Yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje County, after the water level suddenly rose. Fire authorities mobilized 30 personnel and nine pieces of equipment, set up a horizontal rope, and used boats to carry out the rescue. By 10:31 a.m., three people had been rescued; the remaining four were saved ten minutes later.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that 50 to 100mm of rain would fall along the east coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon, with some areas likely to see more than 150mm of rain.

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