South Korea Braces for Monsoon Mayhem: Nationwide Alert Issued!

South Korea’s emergency authorities have issued a nationwide alert ahead of what could be one of the most intense rain events of this summer monsoon season.

At 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, activated its Level 1 response. This initial phase is triggered when localized damage is anticipated, enabling national agencies to begin coordinated emergency preparations.

The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts 150 to 200 millimeters of rainfall from Wednesday evening through Thursday across Seoul, surrounding Gyeonggi Province, the central Chungcheong region, Gangwon Province, and parts of the southwest. This volume of precipitation can overwhelm urban drainage systems, inundate low-lying roads, and spark landslides in hilly areas.

Further heavy downpours are expected to hit southern regions and Jeju Island later in the week.

Officials have pinpointed Wednesday night and early Thursday as the period of highest risk. A spokesperson for the disaster headquarters confirmed that all relevant agencies have been instructed to remain fully mobilized and to disseminate disaster alerts across all available channels, including mobile warnings and local broadcasts.

Residents are strongly advised to remain indoors during peak rainfall and avoid areas prone to flooding.

In a related development, the Korea Forest Service elevated its national landslide alert to the Caution level at 2:30 p.m. This alert now encompasses every major region, including Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Jeju Island.

South Korea’s mountainous terrain and dense urban populations make city areas particularly vulnerable during monsoon rains, especially in neighborhoods near hillsides or with aging drainage infrastructure.

Acting Interior Minister Kim Min-jae, who is spearheading the disaster response, cautioned that with rainfall persisting since the weekend, the threat of landslides and flash floods remains high. He urged the public to stay informed of updates and steer clear of riverbanks, underground spaces, and steep slopes.