Over 2,500 damage cases reported due to heavy rain in southeastern region

Seoul, August 18 - Authorities reported over 2,500 damage incidents caused by extreme rainfall in the southeastern region as of Tuesday morning. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters recorded 2,574 cases, encompassing flooded homes, roads, and downed trees from the heavy downpours that began on Saturday and affected South Gyeongsang Province and surrounding areas.

Rescue operations accounted for 162 of these incidents. As of Monday, one fatality and four injuries were reported, both resulting from a landslide that toppled an apartment complex in Geoje. More than 560 individuals were evacuated due to the storms, with 316 returning home and 248 still displaced. Damage cases also included power outages and water supply disruptions.

Cumulative rainfall from Friday midnight to Tuesday 5 a.m. reached 956.1 mm in Geoje, 766.9 mm in Tongyeong, 518.0 mm on Gadeok Island in Busan, 477.0 mm in Seongsan, Jeju, and 430.5 mm in Sacheon. Although heavy rain alerts have been canceled, 255 areas in three national parks and 306 hazardous sites, including riverbanks and low bridges, remain off-limits. Transportation networks, including railways, flights, and ferries, continue to operate as usual.