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Heavy rain sweeps across peninsula

Aug. 21, 2014 - 20:41 By Claire Lee
A heavy rain warning was issued for many regions nationwide in South Korea on Thursday morning, shortly after a reservoir bank in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, collapsed due to severe weather.

Residents near the reservoir were immediately evacuated as the water flooded some of the farmland in the region. No casualties have been reported.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heavy rain advisory for areas in Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong provinces as well as Seoul on Thursday morning. An advisory is issued when more than 70 millimeters of rain are expected to fall within six hours.

A heavy rain warning, which is for more severe weather conditions, was issued for a number of Gyeonggi Province regions including Ansan, Anyang, Seongnam and Gunpo, as well as Yesan, Taean and Boryeong in South Chungcheong Province.

The same warning was issued for Dokdo and Ulleungdo islands far off the east coast on Thursday morning, but was lifted at 2:30 p.m. The agency issues a heavy rain warning when 110 mm of rain is expected within six hours.

The KMA also issued a wind wave advisory for the coasts of Jejudo Island and the southern coast of the peninsula.

There is also a risk of landslide and flooding due to severe weather, particularly in the Chungcheong and Gyeonggi provinces, according to the agency.

Heavy rain is expected to continue nationwide until early Friday morning, bringing in hourly amounts of 20-30 mm with strong winds and lightning. Another downpour is expected in South Chungcheong Province on Sunday and heavy rain is expected to spread nationwide from Monday.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)