"Like a bomb dropped"... Southern Gyeonggi residents woken by thunder and lightning in early morning

"I'm forty years old and the sound of thunder keeps me from sleeping."

In the early morning of the 22nd, strong rain accompanied by thunder and lightning poured down on southern Gyeonggi Province, and reactions from citizens who woke up from the roaring sounds flooded social media.

Around 3 a.m. that day, bright flashes of lightning and loud thunder echoed repeatedly in the Suwon, Hwaseong Dongtan, and Osan areas.

On X (formerly Twitter), real-time reactions poured in just by searching "thunder." One user wrote, "It's the first time I woke up startled by the sound of thunder," while another said, "The thunder and lightning sounds were so loud I woke up completely. It sounds like the sky is collapsing."

Posts also appeared saying "Like a bomb dropped," and "I thought it was a car's headlights outside, but it must have been lightning." These were followed by accounts of startled pet dogs jumping onto beds, and concerns about having to go to a concert venue once dawn broke.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain is expected to fall in various parts of the central region through the morning. Predicted rainfall for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province is 5 to 40 millimeters. The meteorological authority urged caution, noting that strong winds and thunder and lightning are expected in areas where rain falls.

From afternoon onward, rain is expected to turn into showers and cease by evening. The morning's minimum temperature is expected to be around 21 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs reaching 28 to 34 degrees, as the heat wave continues.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety advises that when lightning strikes, people should take shelter in safe places such as buildings or inside vehicles, and outdoors should avoid areas under trees or utility poles.