As torrential downpour continues, landslide and flood advisories issued nationwide

Heavy rain has been pounding the Greater Seoul region since the early hours of this Wednesday and authorities remain on high alert amid reports of flash floods and landslides.

Ahn Sung-jin reports.

South Korea continues to see heavy rain throughout the central region, including Gyeonggi-do Province, on Wednesday.

Deokjeok-do Island of Ongjin-gun County, Incheon saw extreme rainfall of nearly 150 millimeters in just one hour.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from 8:14 AM till 9:14 AM on Wednesday morning, around 149 millimeters of rain poured in the area, marking a near record figure of rainfall.

Even areas that didn't cross the 100 millimeter per hour threshold still saw significant rainfall well above typical downpour levels, being classified as "heavy" rainfall.

Around 29 streams in Seoul have been closed off, including Cheonggyecheon and Anyangcheon streams.

A heavy rain advisory had been issued in the morning in the northern parts of the city and was later raised to a heavy rain warning in the southwestern areas.

Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province have activated Level Two of their emergency response measures, while the country's Forestry Service issued landslide warnings for some cities and counties, including Pocheon, Gapyeong, and Yangju.

Advisories have been placed in nearby regions, as authorities order evacuations in other affected areas as a precaution.

The KMA notes that this comes from North Pacific high-pressure air expanding into the Peninsula alongside hot and humid air caused by the typhoon "Budle".

This air, combined with the dry air coming down from the north, created a narrow rain cloud band.

More specifically, fast winds blowing from the lower atmosphere at an altitude of 1-point-5-kilometers, known as lower jets, have been adding to a large amount of water vapor and torrential rain.

As the Interior and Safety Ministry activated level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters response measures, authorities are calling on strict management and preemptive closure of flood-prone areas to prevent further damage.

Though heavy rain is expected to continue throughout Wednesday, it will ease off nationwide by Thursday afternoon, and related agencies will be closely monitoring conditions.

Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.