(Illustration by Stripes Korea)
Korea’s rainy season is called jangma. It usually runs from late June to late July, moving from Jeju and the southern region toward central Korea. But the end of jangma does not mean the end of dangerous rain. In August, you can still see heavy local downpours, summer storms and typhoons in Korea. Recent deadly floods in Korea have shown why summer rain should be taken seriously, especially in certain places. Here’s what to watch out for and how to respond.
Underground spaces
In Korea, underground spaces are commonly used. Road underpasses, underground parking garages, subway-connected spaces, basement-level shops and semi-basement homes are common. During heavy rain, those spaces can fill with water quickly and rising water pressure can make doors difficult or impossible to open.
Be extra careful around underground spaces on days with heavy rain. Never drive into an underpass that is already flooded. If you are already driving through an underpass and water starts to rise, keep moving toward the nearest exit if you can do so safely.
But do not stay with the car if water is rising quickly, traffic is blocked or the vehicle stops. Leave the vehicle and move to higher ground as quickly as possible. Water can rise within minutes and waiting too long can make escaping much harder.
On the street
Avoid walking through flooded streets if you can, especially when the water is deep or moving fast. Floodwater can hide open manholes, storm drains, holes, curbs and broken pavement. If you have to walk outside during a downpour, stay away from manholes, streetlights, traffic signals and other electrical equipment. Choose higher ground when possible.
Near water
Avoid streams, rivers, trails near water and coastal areas during or right after heavy rain. Water can rise quickly, especially in streams and rivers, and water that looked safe earlier in the day can become deeper and stronger within a short time.
Download Emergency Ready App
Korea sends emergency alerts automatically to phones in affected areas. Some urgent alerts now include English keywords such as “Heavy rain” but the details are still written only in Korean.
The Emergency Ready App is a Korean government disaster-safety app with multilingual support, including English. It provides disaster alerts, safety guides, shelter locations and emergency information. So set it up before a storm, not during one. During heavy rain, an alert may be the warning that tells you to avoid a stream, turn away from an underpass or get out of an underground space.
