Do you LOVE playing in the rivers in Korea like I do? When I see a river, I’m ready to jump in immediately. However, there are some actual life-or-death factors we all need to consider during monsoon season. Please take a moment to read about Korean rivers and the danger during heavy rains.
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About Monsoon Season and Rivers in Korea
The monsoon season in South Korea, known as ‘jangma’, typically occurs between late June and late July. This period, marked by heavy, persistent rainfall, plays a significant role in the country’s hydrological cycle. The downpours are vital for agriculture, replenishing water supplies, and maintaining the ecosystems in the region but inconvenient for many aspects of daily life. Additionally, these monsoons can also lead to a surge in the water levels of Korean rivers, bringing about various dangers and challenges.
The major rivers of Korea – the Han River, the Nakdong River, the Geum River, and the Yeongsan River – and numerous smaller rivers, can swell significantly during the monsoon season. The rapid rise in water levels can cause flash floods, a phenomenon that can prove highly dangerous due to its sudden onset and the velocity of the water. These floods have the potential to cause significant loss of life and damage to property.
Despite these challenges, the monsoon season is an integral part of Korea’s climate system. The government and citizens alike prepare in advance for this period, implementing various strategies to mitigate the adverse effects, thus ensuring the safety and resilience of the communities living along these vital waterways. International residents should also be prepared for river-related issues during monsoon season so let’s talk about those.
Knowledge is Power
In this blog post, I’m going to talk about 1) the real dangers associated with monsoon season rivers and 2) the realistic things you can do to stay safe.
Remember, 100% safety does not exist in the world, so plan accordingly. You may not need to avoid experiencing things because danger exists. It may be possible to adjust expectations and actions to take into account the different factors that exist and still try all the things.
Five River Dangers and How To Avoid Them
Now that we know a little more about monsoon season (Jangma) and talked about managing risks, let’s talk about the details. The following five issues cause injury or death in different parts of Korea. The monsoon river-related incidents include both Korean nationals and international residents so they are issues we all need to know about:
Flash Flooding
After a monsoon or heavy storm, Korean rivers can suddenly rise to dangerous levels. This rapid increase in water level, known as flash flooding, can quickly sweep away anything in its path, including people, animals, houses, and vehicles. It’s especially dangerous because of the lack of warning and the speed at which it occurs.
Avoid getting caught in flash floods by avoiding rivers during monsoons. Even if it’s not raining where you are, if it’s raining upriver, it may still flash flood in your area. Additionally, even after the rain stops, the water runoff can still cause flash floods.
Landslides
The heavy rainfall that accompanies a monsoon or storm can saturate the ground around the river. This can destabilize the land, particularly on slopes and hills, leading to landslides which can cause serious injury or death, as well as significant property damage.
Avoid hiking during the monsoon season. Many small streams and rivers become big streams and rivers which cause mountainsides to suddenly slide. Even the most stable areas can come apart in heavy rains.
Water Contamination
Monsoons or storms can wash contaminants into rivers, including industrial waste, agricultural chemicals, and raw sewage. This can make the Korean river water dangerous for people and animals to consume or use. It can also have a devastating effect on aquatic life.
Avoid swimming or wading in rivers for a few days after a big rain. We have known people who played in rivers after major rain and ended up in the hospital for days. Water contamination can cause serious health risks for children and adults. Please, consider keeping your children from playing in rivers during summer rains. Additionally, if your child was playing in the water and begins showing lethargy, confusion, and/or fever – immediately go to the emergency room.
Disease Outbreaks
After a monsoon or storm, the water in rivers can often become stagnant, providing ideal conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases. Thankfully, South Korea does an excellent job controlling malaria which decreased significantly due to rigorous control efforts. The areas with the most malaria outbreaks exist next to the DMZ.
To avoid issues with mosquitoes, make sure to carry bug spray and other anti-mosquito devices. As a general practice, always keep yourself well-doused with bug dope.
Infrastructure Damage
The intense flow of water can erode river banks and damage nearby infrastructure like bridges, roads, or buildings. It can also disrupt utilities like water and power lines. This can isolate communities, making rescue efforts more difficult.
Make sure to stay alert when crossing bridges and do NOT drive near the edge of the roads or park on the shoulder of roads. We can’t tell you how many people we see pull over to the side of the road and their vehicles just slide right off with the side of the road. This is a huge issue in the countryside and farming areas. In fact, we already witnessed this once this year.
Additional Resources
Don’t just read this article. Stay informed about issues from a variety of perspectives. Also, read the following articles. Unfortunately, not a lot of articles are available in English that address river-related safety issues in South Korea. I always hope that putting out information will create a larger trend.
- The Effect of Monsoon Rainfall Patterns on Epilithic Diatom Communities in the Hantangang River
- Historic rainfall turns Seoul’s roads into rivers and leaves 8 dead
Read More About Monsoon Season
Would you like to learn more about Jangma (Monsoon season), the following South of Seoul blog post helps you prepare for this annual rainy season:
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
