The Seopdari, a traditional wooden bridge set up for the Gangneung Danoje Festival, is being controlled due to rising water levels in the Namdaecheon River caused by heavy rain in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on the 20th. The '2026 Gangneung Danoje', which opened on the 15th and runs until the 22nd in the Namdaecheon area of Gangneung, is experiencing disruptions, including the cancellation of some events and changes in venues due to the heavy rainfall. [Yonhap News] 

In the midst of heavy rain advisories, up to 223.0 mm of rain fell in Misiryeong, Gangwon Province, leading to the closure of hiking trails in the high-altitude areas of Seoraksan National Park and causing some schedules of the millennium festival, Gangneung Danoje, to be canceled or altered.

According to the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration, as of 4 PM on the 20th, all heavy rain advisories have been lifted, and the rain has subsided to a lull. However, strong wind advisories and gale warnings, accompanied by strong winds and high waves, are in effect along the East Coast.

As of 4 PM, rainfall amounts included 223.0 mm in Misiryeong, 180.0 mm in Myeonokchi, Yangyang, 177.0 mm in Hyangnobong, 108.5 mm in Hwangdun, Wonju, 74.5 mm in Hwacheon, 199.0 mm in Daepo, Sokcho, 101.4 mm in Donghae, and 153.5 mm in Yangyang.

The Seoraksan National Park Office of the Korea National Park Service has completely closed all high-altitude hiking trails since 9:30 AM today, following the upgrade of the heavy rain advisory to a heavy rain warning.

The Gangwon Provincial Fire Department reported that as of the morning of the 20th, damage reports due to strong winds, including three cases of fallen trees and three cases of sewage backflow, continued to be received. The photo shows a fallen tree in Hupyeong-dong, Chuncheon City. [Provided by the Gangwon Provincial Fire Department] 

In particular, with heavy rain falling in Gangneung, including 169.9 mm in Bukgangneung, 171.5 mm in Jumunjin, Gangneung, 131.0 mm in Sangsi, Gangneung, 127.0 mm in Songsan, Gangneung, and 117.0 mm in Yeongok, Gangneung, some events of the Gangneung Danoje, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity that began on the 15th, have been rescheduled.

The Gangneung Danoje Committee has completely canceled the Gangwon Youth Activity Festival D.Y.F and the swing competition that were scheduled to take place today, and has moved the venues for events such as the essay contest and art competition indoors.

The Seopdari, installed in the Namdaecheon River for the convenience of visitors during the Danoje festival, has also been closed to traffic as sections have been submerged or washed away due to the rising water levels caused by the heavy rain.

However, as the rain has subsided, most events, including the Dano Changpo Water Dyeing Competition, the Football Regular Match, and the Ssireum (Korean wrestling) Competition, are proceeding as scheduled.

Gangneung City has also decided to close the Wolhwa Street Night Market, which was scheduled to open on the weekend.

A tree has fallen on the roadside in Gyeongpo-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Province, at approximately 10:55 AM on the 20th, due to heavy rain and strong winds. [Provided by the Gangwon Provincial Fire Department] 

A Gangneung City official explained, "Although the rain may subside during the night market opening hours, the wind speed is expected to be between 7 to 10 meters per second, making it too dangerous to operate the night market, which is why we decided to close it."

The Gangwon Provincial Fire Department also received a total of 37 reports of damage due to heavy rain and strong winds in Gangneung and Chuncheon, including 30 cases of fallen trees, one case of soil runoff, two cases of falling rocks, and three cases of flooding and drainage issues.

At approximately 2:50 PM in Dunnae-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, a tree fell and safety measures were taken. At 11:39 AM, a sign in Gangmun-dong, Gangneung-si, also fell due to strong winds, but there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, cities and counties in Gangwon Province, including Gangneung City, are conducting village broadcasts for heavy rain preparedness, operating a Level 1 emergency in the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and monitoring the weather situation.

A tree has fallen on the roadside in Buron-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon Province, at approximately 8:43 AM on the 20th, due to heavy rain and strong winds. Officials are seen removing the tree. [Provided by the Gangwon Provincial Fire Department]