GEOJE — Emergency repairs on landslide damage in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, have reached only 24% of affected sites, even as three more days of rain are forecast for the region. Officials warn that unrepaired areas face a high risk of secondary damage, including further soil runoff.
As of 8 a.m. on the 27th, emergency repairs had been completed at 2,695 of the 3,212 sites damaged by heavy rain in Geoje and Tongyeong, for a completion rate of 83.9%, the provincial government said.
Tongyeong has wrapped up most of its emergency work at 98%, while Geoje stands at 77%. Landslide damage in Geoje lags furthest behind, with repairs finished at just 53 of 219 sites, or 24%.
A total of 1,925 workers — including provincial and city officials, military personnel, police, firefighters and volunteers — were deployed to repair sites that day, along with about 230 pieces of equipment such as excavators. Personnel and machinery have been concentrated in Geoje, which sustained heavier damage. Cumulative deployment has exceeded 23,000 people.
The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecast rain across South Gyeongsang Province through the 29th, which is expected to disrupt on-site repair work. Up to 60 millimeters of rain is expected on the 27th, up to 80 millimeters on the 28th and 10 to 40 millimeters on the 29th, with heavy downpours likely in some areas.
In Geoje and Tongyeong, 4,548 residents from 2,279 households are currently staying in accommodations and other facilities rather than their homes because of power and water outages.
