Seoul: Four people have died and over 1,300 have been evacuated as record-breaking torrential rains continue to batter South Korea, prompting the government to administer its highest-level weather disaster alert.
Among the deceased are two elderly men in their 80s, one of whom reportedly died while attempting to drain floodwaters from the basement of his home. Another man lost his life after a wall collapsed onto his car. He had phoned his wife, saying his vehicle was being swept away, according to local authorities. The fourth victim suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
In Gwangju, a city in the country’s south, cafe owner Kim Ha-min described the scale of flooding as unprecedented. The 26-year-old was forced to shut her business after it was swamped by water. She described that, “I drained the water, but the smell from the sewers is so bad that I can’t open for business.”
The city of Seosan, on South Korea’s west coast, was the worst hit, recording over 400mm of rainfall in just 12 hours. Officials described the event as a once-in-a-century weather occurrence. Social media platforms are flooded with images and videos showing submerged vehicles, floating furniture, and homes nearly underwater, with only rooftops visible in some cases.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) attributed the heavy downpours to a collision between dry northwestern air and hot, humid air from the south, which formed unusually large and intense rain clouds. Gwangju recorded 426mm of rainfall alone.
Emergency services reported several injuries, including cases of hypothermia and limb injuries. More than 1,300 people had been displaced from their homes. Authorities are continuing to monitor areas vulnerable to landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapse. The public has been strongly advised to avoid riverbanks, steep terrain, and underground facilities.
While the rains may subside in the coming days, forecasters warn that high temperatures are expected to return, possibly bringing with them a heatwave.
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