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A section of an underpass in Songsan-myeon, Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, is closed to traffic on July 16 after a report of vehicle flooding, as heavy rain hit Korea’s west coast. / Source: Yonhap News

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety upgraded the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) response level from Stage 1 to Stage 2 at 4 a.m. on July 17, following the issuance of heavy rain warnings in the southern Gyeonggi Province and Chungcheong region.

The decision comes amid concerns over potential damage to life and property due to intense and sustained rainfall across the affected areas. The government initially activated Stage 1 of the CDSCH at 3 p.m. the previous day.

With the elevation to Stage 2, the national rain crisis alert level has also been raised from “Caution” to “Alert.” The ministry announced that it will work closely with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Forest Service, to bolster emergency response efforts.

Kim Min-jae, acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, instructed officials to strengthen public messaging via disaster alerts, urging residents in high-rainfall areas such as Seosan, Dangjin, and Taean to avoid going out during early morning hours and stay away from dangerous zones.

“Preventing loss of life is our top priority,” Kim emphasized, directing authorities to closely monitor signs of flooding or other hazards and to coordinate preemptive evacuations and safety measures with local governments, police, and fire departments.

“The government will remain fully vigilant throughout the night under the CDSCH system,” Kim added. “We will spare no effort to protect the lives and safety of the public.”