Tropical Depression Dumps Heavy Rain in Southern South Korea and Seoul Area 

People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
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Tropical Depression Dumps Heavy Rain in Southern South Korea and Seoul Area 

People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)
People walk across a crosswalk in downtown Seoul on a rainy morning, South Korea 21 August 2024, following the arrival of the weakened Typhoon Jongdari. (EPA/Yonhap)

A tropical depression dumped heavy rain in southern South Korea and the populous Seoul region Wednesday after weakening from a tropical storm.

Some southern parts of the mainland and the island of Jeju recorded 10 to 17 centimeters (3.9 to 6.6 inches) of rain. Some areas in the capital region saw 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) of rain Wednesday.

The depression that was once Tropical Storm Jongdari made landfall Wednesday morning, and South Korea’s weather agency said the system was continuing to weaken.

Weather conditions in the afternoon weren’t strong enough to deter people from walking on the streets.

No injuries have been reported. About 20 vehicles were damaged by floods in the southern town of Ulju, the nearby city of Ulsan and the central city of Seosan, according to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Emergency workers also responded to several flooded buildings and homes, the ministry said.

Government officials had urged public vigilance and monitoring of areas like underground passageways and basement dwellings that are at high risk of flooding.



South Korea Braces for Strong Winds and Rain as Tropical Storm Jongdari Nears 

High waves crash ashore as tropical storm Jongdari approaches Jeju Island, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Park Ji-ho/Yonhap via AP)
High waves crash ashore as tropical storm Jongdari approaches Jeju Island, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Park Ji-ho/Yonhap via AP)
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South Korea Braces for Strong Winds and Rain as Tropical Storm Jongdari Nears 

High waves crash ashore as tropical storm Jongdari approaches Jeju Island, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Park Ji-ho/Yonhap via AP)
High waves crash ashore as tropical storm Jongdari approaches Jeju Island, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Park Ji-ho/Yonhap via AP)

Tropical storm Jongdari moved toward South Korea's coast on Tuesday, prompting officials to shut roads and parks as the country braced for strong winds and rain.

As of 6:30 p.m., Jongdari was 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the southern island of Jeju and headed north at 33 kph (20 mph) while packing 65 kph (40 mph) winds. It was forecast to weaken around midnight, hours before making landfall near the western city of Seosan.

The storm isn't expected to bring destructive winds as it passes through the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area on Wednesday. Government officials still urged public vigilance, emphasizing securing objects and vessels and monitoring high-risk areas, including underground passageways and basement dwellings.

South Korea’s weather agency forecast the storm would dump around 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) of rain on Jeju and some southern mainland areas. Some central areas could see up to 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) of rain.

The southern cities of Busan and Ulsan received about 5 centimeters (1.9 inches) of rain Tuesday afternoon, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage.