Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, already battered by record-breaking heavy rainfall, received expanded heavy rain warnings again on the 18th. The previous day, the 17th, Gwangju recorded an unprecedented 426.4mm of rainfall, leading to immense damage, including the paralysis of city functions.
According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration, around 2 PM on the 18th, rain clouds from the South Sea (West Sea) entered the Jeonnam coast, causing the rain to intensify again. As of 6 PM that day, heavy rain warnings were additionally issued for Gwangju and nine areas in Jeonnam, including Naju, Damyang, Gokseong, Gurye, Jangseong, Hwasun, Yeosu, Gwangyang, and Suncheon. Furthermore, 13 areas in Jeonnam, including Goheung and Boseong, which were already under heavy rain advisories, were upgraded to heavy rain warnings. In Muan, intense rainfall of 75.5mm per hour was recorded. The Meteorological Administration forecasts that Gwangju and Jeonnam will experience an additional 150-300mm, with some areas receiving over 400mm, of heavy rain until the 19th, urging extreme caution for potential landslides and flooding.
The human and property damage from this torrential downpour is severe. In Gwangju's Buk-gu, near Singyo Bridge, a citizen presumed to be a man in his 60s was swept away by strong currents on the night of the 17th and is missing. On the same day, in Geumgok Village, Buk-gu, a man in his 70s who went out to operate a field pump lost contact, and police and fire authorities are conducting a search. However, the search for the missing persons faced difficulties, including temporary suspension, due to the renewed heavy rainfall on the afternoon of the 18th.
Flooding damage has been reported consecutively across various parts of the region. In Gwangju, over 40 damage reports were received, including 49 submerged vehicles, 24 cases of road damage, and 31 fallen trees. In Jeonnam, 197 homes and commercial buildings were inundated. Agricultural crops spanning 2,924 hectares suffered flood damage, and over 57,000 livestock, including approximately 42,000 ducks and 15,500 chickens, perished. Transportation was paralyzed, with some sections of the Gwangju Urban Railway suspending operations due to subway station flooding, and all flights at Gwangju Airport being canceled. In Naju, an extreme downpour of 92mm per hour caused about 40 residents to evacuate urgently to facilities like gymnasiums.
Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province have declared emergency level 3 and initiated an all-out response. However, with additional heavy rain forecasted, there is a high risk of further widespread damage. Authorities have emphasized to residents the importance of maintaining vigilance during the emergency and prioritizing their safety.
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