▲ Pedestrians walk with umbrellas near Gwanghwamun Station in central Seoul on July 14, 2026, as monsoon rain returned amid hot weather. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- Heavy rainfall is forecast to hit central parts of South Korea, prompting the government to strengthen emergency response measures, the interior ministry said Friday.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, strong rain accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning is expected across the Seoul metropolitan area, the eastern province of Gangwon and the central Chungcheong region from early Saturday, with hourly precipitation of 30-50 millimeters.

Rainfall intensity is expected to reach up to 80 mm per hour in some areas, including the greater Seoul area, it added.

In response, Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung convened a meeting with relevant agencies and ordered the preemptive activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, according to his office.

Yun instructed the dispatch of on-site situation managers to nine cities and provinces expected to be affected by the heavy rain and called for thorough preventive measures, including access restrictions and evacuations in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

The minister also ordered local governments and related agencies to inspect drainage facilities and swiftly disseminate disaster information through emergency text alerts and local broadcasting systems.

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