A disaster-level rainstorm hit Geoje, South Korea, delivering more than 100 mm of rain per hour for two consecutive hours [1].
The intensity of the rainfall creates an immediate risk of flash flooding and landslides in the coastal region. Such extreme precipitation levels often overwhelm local drainage systems, threatening infrastructure and resident safety in the Gyeongsangnam-do province.
Heavy rain concentrated along the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do overnight, and precipitation continues to fall across the region, according to YTN [1]. In the Myeongsa beach area, rainfall was measured at 62 mm within a single hour [1].
Meteorologists attribute the prolonged deluge to a stationary low-pressure system. This system became trapped between high-pressure areas, which prevented the rain clouds from moving eastward and caused the storm to stall over the region [1, 2].
Local officials and residents remain on alert as the weather system persists. Forecasts indicate that the region may receive an additional 80 mm or more of rain [1].
YTN reporter Jang A-young said heavy rain is still falling in the areas of the southern coast that were hit hardest overnight [1].
“Rainfall intensity of over 100 mm per hour”
The occurrence of 'disaster-level' rainfall—defined by the extreme hourly volume—highlights the vulnerability of South Korea's southern coast to stationary weather systems. When low-pressure systems stall, they create concentrated zones of precipitation that can exceed the capacity of urban and rural water management systems, increasing the likelihood of systemic infrastructure failure.
