Entire summer’s worth of rain fell on Geoje in just two days; recovery underway

The torrential rain that battered Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province over the past two days was equivalent to what the region would normally receive over an entire summer, weather officials said Tuesday.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Geoje received 638.7 millimeters of rain in the 24 hours through 6 p.m. Monday, while Tongyeong recorded 453.7 mm. Both were the highest daily rainfall totals ever recorded in the two cities.

From Saturday through 6 p.m. Monday, cumulative rainfall reached 912 mm in Geoje and 748.1 mm in Tongyeong. That compares with average summer precipitation of 935.1 mm and 728.8 mm, respectively, based on records from the past 30 years. In other words, Geoje received nearly its average three months' worth of summer rain in just two days, while Tongyeong surpassed its typical summer total.

Geoje's daily rainfall was the highest since Typhoon Rusa in 2002 and ranked third on the KMA's list of the nation's heaviest daily rainfall totals since official records began in 1973.

The rain was also exceptional in intensity. Geoje received 124.5 mm in a single hour, a level the KMA said could be expected only once every 200 years. Tongyeong saw 97.4 mm in an hour, an event with a roughly 100-year return period.

The downpours wreaked havoc, triggering floods and landslides that disrupted daily life across the city. At least one person was killed and four others injured, while nearly 160 residents were evacuated as torrential rain and strong winds inundated roads and triggered landslides across the region.

As of Tuesday morning, with the heavy rain advisory lifted, emergency crews were continuing rescue and recovery efforts, including clearing roads to allow vehicles to pass. Among the properties damaged were 41 schools across South Gyeongsang Province, many of which were preparing to welcome students back from summer vacation.