After two days of torrential rain, the discharge of the Seomjin River Dam began, and dozens of residents in Imsil, Jeollabuk-do, located downstream were isolated from the village.

According to the Youngsan River Flood Control Office on the 8th, the water level of the Seomjin River Dam rose to 196.77m, which is close to the planned flood level of 197.7m, and the water gate was opened at 6:30 am on the same day and discharge started.

With the opening of the water gate, the water level of the rivers in the area rose at once, and the roads in several villages around the village of Deokchi-myeon, which are downstream of the river, were cut off, leaving residents isolated.

The Deokchi-myeon office said that as of 10 am on the day, 27 residents of Gudam village, 30 residents of Jangsan village, and 6 residents of Muluri village are isolated.

Here, 18 tourists who stayed at Gudam Village Pension and B&B were also said to have been isolated because they could not escape.
The floodgates of the Seomjin River Dam continue to be discharged, and 242.5mm of heavy rain poured in the Imsil area from the previous day to the morning of the day.

An official at the Deokchimyeon Office said, "It is likely that the number of isolated villages will increase as time goes by as it is raining," he said. "Because all roads to the village have been cut off, we advised residents to evacuate to high places first."

(Photo = Yonhap News)