Heavy overnight rains on July 18 flooded homes and roads across the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon province, resulting in 540 cases of property damage with no reported casualties.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, nearly 200 millimeters of rain fell in the metropolitan area and Gangwon province between midnight and 10 a.m., with 192.5 mm recorded in Paju, 189.5 mm in Dongducheon and 179 mm in Pocheon.
As of 11 a.m., authorities had received 148 reports of flooded homes and roads plus 392 cases of fallen trees and debris. A total of 95 people from 44 households in six cities were evacuated as a precaution.
The Seoul city government closed both directions of the Dongbu Expressway and activated a Level 2 emergency response after receiving 120 damage reports. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said during an emergency meeting, "Fortunately, there were no human casualties, but homes and roads were flooded, and individuals suffered property damage. I extend my condolences to all those affected."
Heavy rain is forecast to continue through Sunday, with rainfall intensity reaching up to 300 mm per hour in some areas.
