Severe Rainfall Causes Flooding and Disruptions in South Chungcheong Province

On July 17, 2025, heavy rainfall struck the South Chungcheong Province, particularly affecting the western coastal areas. The city of Seosan's Osasa Intersection was submerged due to the downpour. In response to the severe weather, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (중대본) alert level from Stage 1 to Stage 2 at 4 AM. The rain alert was also upgraded from 'Caution' to 'Alert'.

Tragic incidents have occurred as a result of the heavy rain. According to the ministry, at around 7 PM the previous day, a 10-meter-high retaining wall at the Gagyeok Overpass in Osan City collapsed, crushing a car and resulting in the death of a 58-year-old man.

The torrential rain, which exceeded 100 mm per hour overnight, led to widespread flooding in the region. From 9 PM the previous night to 4 AM that morning, a total of 302 reports related to the heavy rain were received. In five cities and counties, including Boryeong, Seosan, Dangjin, Buyeo, and Seocheon, 116 residents from 79 households were evacuated due to the flooding.

The heavy rain has also led to various restrictions. Under a wave warning, 15 vessels across 10 routes, including those connecting Mokpo, Yuldo, and Hongdo in Jeollanam-do, have been prohibited from departing. Access to 248 sections in 10 national parks has also been restricted.

Some train services have been suspended. Korail announced a temporary halt to regular train operations on the Gyeongbu Line between Seoul Station and Daejeon Station, the Janghang Line between Cheonan Station and Iksan Station, and the West Sea Line between Hongseong Station and Seohwa Station. Additionally, the operation of the subway Line 1 between Pyeongtaek Station and Sinchang Station has been temporarily limited.

Emergency calls have surged in the Chungnam area due to the heavy rain. The Chungnam Fire Department reported receiving 302 rain-related calls from 9 PM the previous night to 4 AM that morning. As of now, no further casualties have been confirmed.

Kim Min-jae, the acting head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, instructed that areas experiencing heavy rainfall, such as Seosan, Dangjin, and Taean, should disseminate disaster alerts to encourage residents to avoid going out during the early hours and to stay away from dangerous areas. He emphasized the importance of preventing casualties by promptly collaborating with local governments, police, and fire departments to implement safety measures, including evacuations, as soon as signs of flooding are detected.

Kim Min-jae stated, 'The government will focus all efforts on disaster response, ensuring thorough management of the situation during the late-night hours through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.'