Seoul: Authorities have issued a flood advisory for the Imjin River, located near the inter-Korean border, as water levels have surged due to intense rainfall and the unannounced release of water from a North Korean dam.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Han River Flood Control Office announced the advisory at 11:40 a.m. after the water level at Imjin Bridge in Yeoncheon County, approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Seoul, climbed to 7 meters. The water level was observed to be increasing by 0.2 to 0.3 meters every ten minutes.

The abrupt rise in the bridge's water level is attributed to the relentless rainfall in the county and the suspected release of water by North Korea from a dam near the inter-Korean border without prior notification. Satellite imagery confirmed the release from the Hwanggang Dam, located on the upper reaches of the Imjin River, as stated by the environment ministry late Monday.

At the northernmost point of the Imjin River in South Korea, known as Pilseung Bridge, the water level reached 8.1 meters at 11:40 a.m. This measurement exceeded the 7.5-meter threshold, which signifies the second-highest level in the river's flood management protocol, as per information from the flood control office.

In response, the flood control office and local authorities have dispatched mobile safety alerts to residents and visitors in the vicinity, advising them to avoid the river areas and relocate to safer locations.

A representative from the unification ministry urged North Korea to collaborate with South Korea in addressing natural disasters responsibly, labeling it a humanitarian concern. North Korea had previously agreed to coordinate with the South before releasing dam water.

"Given the limitations we face, including severed communication channels with North Korea, we are monitoring related developments using various technologies, including satellite imagery," the official stated.