Heavy rain to lash most of S. Korea through Monday, pounding commuters in greater Seoul at dawn

Heavy rain accompanied by strong gusts, thunder and lightning is forecast to sweep most of the country through Monday.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy rain advisories were in effect for southern regions as of 5 p.m. Sunday, with rain forecast to continue across most of the country on Monday. Southern Gyeonggi Province, the southern inland areas of Gangwon Province's Yeongseo region, the Chungcheong region and North Jeolla Province are expected to bear the brunt, with particularly intense and heavy rain accompanied by strong gusts, thunder and lightning in some areas.

Forecast rainfall totals for Monday through Tuesday cover a wide range by region: southern Gyeonggi Province is expected to receive 50 to 100 millimeters, with more than 150 millimeters possible in some areas; Seoul, Incheon and northern Gyeonggi Province 30 to 80 millimeters; Gangwon Province 30 to 80 millimeters, with more than 120 millimeters possible in the southern inland and mountain areas; Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong Province 80 to 150 millimeters, with more than 250 millimeters possible along the South Chungcheong coast and more than 200 millimeters in the Daejeon-Sejong-South Chungcheong inland areas; and North Chungcheong Province 50 to 150 millimeters, with more than 200 millimeters possible in some spots.

North Jeolla Province is forecast to receive 20 to 80 millimeters, with more than 120 millimeters possible in the northwestern part of the province; South Jeolla Province and Gwangju 30 to 80 millimeters; the central and northern parts of North Gyeongsang Province, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province 30 to 80 millimeters; Daegu, southern North Gyeongsang Province, Ulleungdo and Dokdo 20 to 60 millimeters; and Jeju Island 5 to 40 millimeters.

In the greater Seoul metropolitan area, the heaviest rain is expected to be concentrated between dawn and the morning commute hours. Rain is forecast to taper off in southern regions and Jeju Island by Monday evening and night, while central regions can expect rain to continue through Tuesday morning.

Earlier Sunday, parts of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju were hit by torrential rain reaching up to 100 millimeters per hour, causing widespread flooding. A heavy rain advisory was lifted for some areas at 6:30 p.m., but heavy rain warnings remained in effect for Suncheon, Gwangyang, Hwasun and Boseong.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that strong rain would continue to center on southern regions Monday. Parts of Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province could see rain of more than 50 millimeters per hour through dawn or the morning, and the northwestern part of North Jeolla Province is also expected to receive more than 50 millimeters per hour.

The Chungcheong region is also bracing for very heavy concentrated rain. The South Chungcheong coastal areas along the West Sea could briefly see downpours exceeding 80 millimeters per hour Monday morning, while the inland areas of Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong Province, as well as parts of North Chungcheong Province, could receive more than 50 millimeters per hour from dawn through the morning. Southern Gyeonggi Province and the southern inland and mountain areas of Gangwon Province are also expected to see up to 50 millimeters or more per hour.

The government urged relevant agencies to step up safety inspections in areas vulnerable to landslides, steep slopes, retaining walls and embankments, warning that even moderate rainfall could trigger additional damage in areas already hit by recent heavy rain and wildfires.

The Korea Meteorological Administration called for heightened caution, warning that intense rain combined with strong gusts, thunder and lightning poses a significant risk of damage. Temperatures are expected to remain oppressively hot for now, particularly in southern regions and Jeju Island where heat wave advisories are in effect, with the maximum perceived temperature forecast to reach around 33 degrees Celsius.