Authorities restricted all pedestrian access to Seoul's Jamsu Bridge starting at 11:00 AM today after water levels reached 5.6 meters [1].
The closure highlights the vulnerability of the low-lying bridge to rapid flooding during the summer monsoon season. Because the bridge sits lower than other Han River crossings, it serves as a critical early indicator of flood risks for the city's infrastructure.
The restriction followed a period of intense rainfall that saw the metropolitan area receive approximately 200 mm of rain [1]. Within Seoul specifically, rainfall exceeded 120 mm [1]. This surge caused the river to rise sharply in a short window of time.
Lee Hye-min, a caster for YTN, said the water level was 3.5 meters at 5:00 AM during the height of the early morning rain [1]. By the time the pedestrian ban was implemented at 11:00 AM, the water had risen by more than two meters [1].
While pedestrians are currently banned, the bridge remains open to vehicle traffic. However, officials have a secondary threshold for total closure. Lee said vehicle traffic will also be prohibited if the water level exceeds 6.2 meters [1].
Emergency crews and weather monitors continue to track the river's height as the city manages the aftermath of the overnight storms. The rapid rise from 3.5 meters to 5.6 meters in six hours underscores the volatility of the river's current state.
“Pedestrian access was fully restricted because the water level rose to 5.6 meters.”
The rapid closure of Jamsu Bridge demonstrates the immediate impact of extreme precipitation on Seoul's urban mobility. Because the bridge is designed to be submerged during severe floods, its staged closure—first for pedestrians and then for vehicles—acts as a physical barometer for the city's flood management system. The fact that water levels rose over two meters in just six hours indicates a high-intensity weather event that tests the capacity of the Han River's drainage and overflow systems.
