Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Lives in South Korea

Rescue operations are ongoing as officials respond to the aftermath of torrential downpours leading to floods and landslides in South Korea, with fears of the death toll rising as dozens remain missing.

At least 17 people have lost their lives due to the flooding and landslides that have struck South Korea, primarily affecting the southern regions. According to the country's disaster management office, rescue efforts are actively underway as 11 individuals are currently unaccounted for. Reports and videos from the site showcase the devastation; in Gapyeong, one of the most impacted areas, residents have been seen trudging through thick mud and managing risky journeys across a damaged bridge to reach evacuation shelters.

The landscape has drastically changed, with an entire village in the central Chungcheong area buried under mud after a severe landslide. In Sancheong, death tolls have mounted to six, with seven individuals still missing. The relentless downpour has wreaked havoc, damaging thousands of roads and buildings, negatively impacting farmlands, and leading to the loss of livestock.

Since the heavy rains commenced last Wednesday, nearly 10,000 residents have evacuated, and over 41,000 households have faced temporary power outages. Although rainfall has lessened in the southern parts, predictions indicate that the capital city of Seoul and northern regions may experience further torrential rains in the coming days. President Lee Jae-myung has declared the severely affected areas as special disaster zones, and a multi-agency relief effort has been initiated. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung has urged local governments to mobilize all available resources rapidly to assist those in need.

A particularly tragic incident in Gapyeong County resulted in the deaths of two individuals due to a landslide that consumed several homes. While the forecast anticipates the rain to cease by late Sunday, residents brace for an imminent heatwave afterward, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced in recovery and rebuilding.