An official from the Seoul Facilities Corp. looks at a flooded Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul, Wednesday. Major streams in Seoul, including the Cheonggye Stream, were closed to the public due to a torrential downpour. Yonhap

Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province were hit by a heavy downpour, Wednesday, with some regions receiving more than 100 millimeters of rain per hour, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

With more rain expected through Friday morning, the weather agency has issued a forecast, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety is urging people to be alert for possible flooding, road closures, and damage to facilities.

A torrential downpour struck Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, prompting the issuance of heavy rain warnings and advisories across dozens of cities and counties in the area.

For the first time this year in the greater Seoul area, the KMA sent out emergency text messages warning of potential disasters from heavy rain.

Panmunjeom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province received more than 340 millimeters of rainfall since late Tuesday night, Namyangju saw over 200 millimeters, and Nowon-gu in Seoul experienced over 160 millimeters.

Munsan, another town north of Seoul, received more than 100.9 millimeters of rainfall per hour.

The heavy downpour resulted in the closures of dozens of roads for hours and the partial suspension of subway services, inconveniencing many commuters. Furthermore, major streams in Seoul, including Cheonggye Stream downtown, were closed to visitors.

People use their umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain as they walk pass Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Landslide warnings were also issued in some 10 cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi Province.

President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered emergency measures to address potential damage from the heavy rain and canceled his planned meeting with local government heads.

Anticipating up to 70 millimeters of torrential rain per hour from Wednesday night to Thursday morning for the Seoul metropolitan area and North Chungcheong Province, the KMA also forecast lighter rain to persist through Friday.

Meanwhile, in the southern part of the country, which has faced significant damage from heavy downpours since last weekend, the rain has subsided and the region is now experiencing scorching heat. From the previous rainfall, approximately 560 people were evacuated from South Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, and South Jeolla provinces.

Among them, 254 people have yet to return home. In response, the government provided temporary housing facilities.