At least 18 lives have been lost following severe flooding and landslides in South Korea, triggered by relentless rainfall over the past week. The South Korean government reported that the toll may increase as ongoing rescue efforts continue to locate the nine missing individuals. Torrential rains amounting to 31 inches have inundated the southern and western provinces, with Sancheong witnessing the worst damage—10 fatalities and four individuals unaccounted for.
Landslides and Flooding Devastate South Korea, Claiming Lives and Destroying Homes
Landslides and Flooding Devastate South Korea, Claiming Lives and Destroying Homes
At least 18 people have perished in South Korea due to catastrophic flooding and landslides. Rescuers are continuing their search for those missing as communities attempt to recover.
Video footage documented substantial destruction in agricultural areas like strawberry greenhouses, as cars were overturned amidst rising floodwaters. To combat the rising threat, authorities have advised all 33,000 residents to remain vigilant. In Gapyeong County, a particularly tragic incident unfolded when a family of four was hit by a landslide while camping, resulting in the father's death, with efforts still underway to find the mother and daughter.
The South Korean home ministry reported the evacuation of 14,000 individuals due to damaged houses and farms, emphasizing that large tracts of farmland equivalent to 40,000 soccer fields were adversely affected. In addition, livestock losses have been staggering, with 1.4 million chickens among the affected animals.
President Lee Jae Myung has responded by designating the most severely impacted areas as special disaster zones, thus enabling access to crucial government assistance, including tax exemptions. As weather patterns stabilized, many evacuated residents returned to their homes, facing the overwhelming task of cleanup and restoration. Soldiers and workers mobilized to aid the recovery, clearing debris from roadways and rescuing scattered belongings. Although heavy rain alerts were downgraded, forecasts suggest the threat of more rainfall, alongside warnings of a possible heat wave and efforts to contain potential disease outbreaks stemming from flooding.
The South Korean home ministry reported the evacuation of 14,000 individuals due to damaged houses and farms, emphasizing that large tracts of farmland equivalent to 40,000 soccer fields were adversely affected. In addition, livestock losses have been staggering, with 1.4 million chickens among the affected animals.
President Lee Jae Myung has responded by designating the most severely impacted areas as special disaster zones, thus enabling access to crucial government assistance, including tax exemptions. As weather patterns stabilized, many evacuated residents returned to their homes, facing the overwhelming task of cleanup and restoration. Soldiers and workers mobilized to aid the recovery, clearing debris from roadways and rescuing scattered belongings. Although heavy rain alerts were downgraded, forecasts suggest the threat of more rainfall, alongside warnings of a possible heat wave and efforts to contain potential disease outbreaks stemming from flooding.
