Recent heavy rains in South Korea have tragically claimed the lives of at least 17 individuals, with 11 more still unaccounted for, according to government records. These intense downpours underscore the severity of the current monsoon season.
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South Korea typically braces for monsoon rains each July, and the country is generally well-prepared. However, this week’s unprecedented rainfall has left many areas grappling with the aftermath. “The intensity of the rainfall we have witnessed is among the highest on record,” noted meteorological authorities.
Particularly hard hit was the southern region, where the hourly rainfall reached alarming levels. A deluge struck Gapyeong County early Sunday, unleashing nearly 170 millimeters of rain and sadly resulting in at least two fatalities and five individuals reported missing.
Among the casualties was a woman in her 70s who lost her life when her home collapsed due to a landslide. Additionally, the body of a man in his 40s was discovered near a bridge after he drowned, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
In total, the devastation from this five-day deluge has resulted in at least 17 confirmed deaths and 11 individuals still missing, according to data from the interior ministry. Most of these tragedies occurred in Sancheong County, where nearly 800 millimeters of rain has fallen since Wednesday.
As search and recovery operations continue, the death toll in this rural community of 33,000 has now reached ten, with four residents still unaccounted for. “We are doing everything we can to help those affected and locate the missing,” a local official stated.
Experts agree that climate change is a major factor contributing to the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide. Last year, South Korea experienced record floods that claimed at least 11 lives, including three individuals who tragically drowned in a Seoul basement apartment—a setting that gained international notoriety through the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.” The government at that time attributed the historic rainfall to the impacts of climate change.
As we assess the situation, it’s clear that preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather are more critical than ever.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
