The water level at Pilsung Bridge, the northernmost monitoring point on the Imjin River in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, has risen above 3 meters, as North Korea is believed to have released water from the upstream Hwanggang Dam.
According to the Han River Flood Control Office, the water level at Pilsung Bridge measured 3.01 meters as of 7 a.m. ET on July 20.
The river level has continued rising since the previous day, surpassing both the 1-meter threshold for evacuating recreational visitors along the river and the 2-meter threshold for non-flood-season public evacuations.
Authorities use the water level at Pilsung Bridge to manage the Imjin River basin. A level above 1 meter triggers evacuation measures for riverside visitors, while 2 meters or higher activates evacuation protocols for nearby residents during the non-flood season.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said satellite imagery of the border area taken at 8:47 a.m. ET on July 20 indicated that North Korea had likely carried out a partial discharge from the Hwanggang Dam.
With heavy rainfall forecast across northern Gyeonggi Province, officials warned that river levels could rise further. Relevant authorities have strengthened safety measures, including restricting access to riverside areas and closely monitoring water levels.