Heavy downpours flood Seoul streets, cause damage

Seoul experienced severe rainfall and strong winds on Sunday, leading to localized flooding and safety concerns across the city. The Gangbuk Ward saw the highest rainfall at 53.5 millimeters per hour, the most intense in the country during the storm. By 5:00 p.m., 129 emergency calls were made, with 47 for drainage help, 21 for fallen trees, and 60 for safety inspections at public facilities.

Seoul issued an emergency alert at 3:16 p.m., advising residents to avoid low-lying and high-risk areas due to the heavy rain and gusty conditions. Emergency alerts for parts of the city were lifted at 3:30 p.m., but scattered showers continued. By 5:00 p.m., the total rainfall reached 65 mm in Gangbuk Ward, while the Songpa District experienced 20 mm.

Water levels forced the closure of 16 major urban streams and disrupted traffic on key highways, with roads under the Jeungsan Bridge in Seodaemun Ward fully blocked due to flooding. A tree fell onto a road in Gangnam Ward, blocking traffic. In Eunpyeong Ward, water levels reached above knee level in low-lying areas. Some shop owners manually cleared fallen leaves from catch basins to speed up drainage.

Outdoor events, like the Grand Mint Festival at Olympic Park in Songpa, were canceled. Seoul activated Level 1 emergency response protocols at 2:40 p.m., operating 12 rainwater pumping stations to clear flooded roads. While the rain may have subsided, damage reports are still coming in, and officials are prioritizing resolving safety concerns and preventing further accidents in collaboration with district offices.