SEOUL - Heavy rainfall has inundated parts of central South Korea, causing significant disruptions including stranding villagers and prompting the Interior Ministry to escalate its heavy rain alert to "caution." The alert, issued early Monday, comes in response to intense rain that drenched the Chungcheong region and parts of North Gyeongsang Province, with rates reaching up to 50 millimeters per hour.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the heavy rain has activated the first stage of the country's three-stage response system. The rainfall has already resulted in the stranding of 25 residents in rural villages near Andong and a neighboring county, though all were safely rescued by emergency services. Additionally, the downpour caused disruptions in Daejeon and nearby cities, including fallen trees and flooded roads. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has directed regional authorities, police, and firefighters to maintain high readiness and prepare for immediate actions in response to further incidents. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts continued heavy rainfall across the central regions, with up to 120 mm expected throughout Monday and persistent rainy conditions expected to last until Wednesday.