Relentless downpour abates in Seoul's metropolitan area, claiming a single life in its wake
Seoul Experiences Severe Flooding Due to Heavy Rain
Seoul, South Korea, faced severe flooding in August 2025, following heavy rain that affected the capital and surrounding areas, including Gimpo, Incheon, and northern Gyeonggi. The city received between 200 to over 300 millimeters (7.8 to 12.5 inches) of rainfall in short periods, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging roads and waterways.
Impact
The floodwaters turned roads into rivers, causing disruptions to major roads, underpasses, and train services in Gyeonggi Province. Dozens of riverside parks and hiking trails were closed due to flood and landslide risks. Seoul raised its emergency response to Level 2, issuing emergency flood warnings and landslide alerts. Numerous buildings and homes were flooded, leading to evacuations and rescue operations for residents trapped by rising waters.
Casualties
At least three people died in the greater Seoul area, with one person reported missing in Gimpo and five houses damaged. More than 50 people were evacuated from flood-affected homes.
Recovery Efforts
Authorities sealed off 29 city streams and closed flood-prone roads to manage water flow and prevent further incidents. Emergency services responded quickly to rescue calls, drainage crews worked to clear flooded train tracks, and residents were mobilized to salvage belongings and mitigate damage. Flood advisories and text alerts warned residents to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone hillsides.
This major rainfall event was part of a broader pattern of extreme rainfall in South Korea in early August 2025, with southern regions also severely flooded by intense rainfalls exceeding 280 mm in 24 hours. The Seoul flood incident highlighted vulnerability in urban areas to sudden heavy rains, prompting heightened emergency responses and evacuation measures.
Vehicles were stranded on roads that turned into chocolate-colored rivers, and residents had to salvage belongings from properties damaged by flash floods. Nearly 1,000 people were forced to evacuate due to the flooding. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, 759 people had not been able to return to their homes, and the ministry did not provide any updates regarding the number of fatalities. South Korea's weather agency forecast that the rain would taper further later in the day.
In contrast to Seoul's weather-induced hardships, the weather forecast for Seattle, another major city, predicted slightly drier conditions in the upcoming days. Despite the heavy rain seen in South Korea, Seattle's weather-forecasting systems predicted only modest rainfall, offering a brief respite from the deluges experienced elsewhere.
