During the Liberation Day holiday, Geoje, South Korea, experienced over 800 mm of record rainfall, resulting in a fatal landslide and widespread flooding of roads and homes. The region's two major shipyards, Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries, implemented emergency measures, restricting employee access.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration and fire authorities, Geoje received 815.5 mm of rain from August 15 to August 17. Notably, on the morning of August 17, rainfall peaked at 124.5 mm per hour, marking the highest hourly precipitation recorded in Geoje since weather observations began in 1972.
Tragically, a landslide occurred at approximately 4:42 a.m. behind an apartment building in Okpo-dong, burying the first floor under mud and rainwater. Fire authorities rescued two residents, but a man in his 20s was found in cardiac arrest and later died at the hospital. The deceased was identified as an employee at a nearby shipyard.
The heavy rainfall led to flooding and isolation in various parts of Geoje. Rising waters damaged bridges and submerged roads, prompting evacuations in areas at risk of landslides.
The local industrial sector is on high alert. Hanwha Ocean announced through its disaster response center that access to roads in Geoje was restricted, making it difficult for employees to commute. Samsung Heavy Industries also advised workers scheduled for overtime to remain at home.
The National Fire Agency issued a national firefighting mobilization order at 6 a.m. for Geoje and Tongyeong, deploying firefighting resources from nearby regions, including Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Jeonnam, to assist with drainage and rescue operations. The government has decided to provide an emergency grant of 3 billion won to support recovery efforts in Gyeongnam and other southern regions affected by the heavy rain.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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