The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings on the 16th for areas including Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Gongju and Nonsan in South Chungcheong Province. This is due to intense rainfall exceeding 80 mm per hour in areas along the southern West Coast of South Chungcheong Province, resulting in what is described as a 'water bomb.' Consequently, reports of damage are pouring in.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 11 p.m. that day, areas under heavy rain warnings include Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province, Gongju, Buyeo, Nonsan, Gyeryong, Cheongyang, Taean, Seosan, Boryung, Seocheon, and Hongseong in South Chungcheong Province, Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, and Daejeon. Heavy rain warnings are issued when the expected cumulative rainfall exceeds 90 mm in three hours or 180 mm in twelve hours. The reported cumulative rainfall in these areas includes 174 mm in Seocheon, 79.5 mm in Gongju, 77.5 mm in Hongseong, 158 mm in Gunsan, and 72.5 mm in Seoul.

On the 16th, buses run on a flooded road near Gangnam Station in Seoul, where a heavy rain advisory is issued. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

The Korea Meteorological Administration noted, 'Until the 18th, strong rain will occur with gusts and thunder and lightning in most regions across the country,' adding, 'From today until the 17th, central regions and the Jeolla region can expect rainfall of 30 to 50 mm per hour.'

As strong rain concentrates, damages are occurring in central regions. According to fire authorities, at around 7:04 p.m., a 10-meter high retaining wall near the Gajang Intersection in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, collapsed and crushed a car traveling on the road. The driver of the vehicle was later found dead.

On the afternoon of the 16th, heavy rain falls centered on the west coast of South Chungcheong Province, and the fire authorities that dispatched after receiving reports of vehicle flooding at an underground passage in Song-san-myeon, Dangjin-si, which has a heavy rain advisory, are taking safety measures. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Additionally, around 4 p.m., a pothole several centimeters wide appeared on the elevated road toward Suwon, which led to recovery work being conducted, and from 5:30 p.m., two lanes were closed. Currently, all vehicle traffic at the Gajang Intersection is restricted.

Moreover, around 8:06 p.m., a bus lost its rear wheels due to a road collapse in Inchang-dong, Guri, Gyeonggi Province. All passengers and the driver evacuated, and there were no casualties. In South Chungcheong Province, 27 reports related to heavy rain were received by emergency services, while 15 reports were filed in Incheon.

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