The government has issued a "flood advisory" for the Dorimcheon stream area in Seoul. It marks the first time such an advisory has been issued since the urban flood forecasting pilot program was launched this year for six districts in Seoul's Gangnam area.
The Han River Flood Control Office under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it issued a flood advisory for the areas near Sindaebang Station, Sillim Station, and Boramae Station along Seoul's Dorimcheon stream as of 12:40 p.m. on the 9th. As rain clouds that had dumped heavy rain over the Chungcheong region since early morning moved north toward the Seoul area, authorities issued the advisory in advance to warn of stream overflow and urban flooding. The Korea Meteorological Administration also issued heavy rain warnings for Seoul's southwest region (Yeongdeungpo, Guro, Gangseo, etc.) and northwest region (Mapo, Seodaemun, Jongno, etc.) as of 12:10 p.m. that day.
This was the first flood advisory issued since the Ministry of Climate began its urban flood forecasting pilot program on June 19 this year, covering six districts in Seoul: Gangnam, Seocho, Gwanak, Guro, Dongjak, and Yeongdeungpo. The urban flood forecasting program was introduced after related laws were revised in the wake of the 2022 flooding that submerged the Gangnam Station area. Because warning of stream overflow or urban flooding only after heavy rain falls makes it difficult to prevent damage caused by suddenly rising waters, the system was improved into a forecasting format.
A flood advisory is issued when analysis of sewer water levels and expected rainfall indicates that the road surface water level is approaching or expected to exceed the flooding threshold of 15 centimeters. If urban flooding has actually occurred or is deemed certain to occur, the advisory is upgraded to a "flood warning." Advisories and warnings are not only sent as public safety alert text messages, but residents can also directly check flood-prone areas on their mobile phones through a link in the alert message.
"Residents in areas where a flood advisory has been issued should check location-based flood-prone areas and prepare for flood damage," the Ministry of Climate said. "They should pay special attention to safety, such as preparing to install flood barriers in advance or refraining from accessing low-lying areas and underground spaces."
