Categories: News

Breaking: Devastating Torrential Rainfall Leaves 20 Dead In South Korea

At least 22 people have been killed by deadly flooding in South Korea, as torrential rainfall continues to batter central regions.

A third day of downpours triggered landslides and caused a major dam in the central North Chungcheong province to overflow.

Advertisement

Heavy rain submerged roads, swept away cars and disrupted railways.

Another 14 people are missing and thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes, officials said.

Advertisement

Most of the casualties were reported from the North Gyeongsang province, caused by landslides in the mountainous area that destroyed homes.

Entire houses “were swept away whole” in the most severely affected areas, an emergency responder told local media.

Advertisement

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has asked the military to assist with rescue efforts.

Authorities say 19 cars have been submerged in an underground tunnel in the central Chungcheong province – prompting fears the number of fatalities could rise.

Advertisement

Thousands of people have been affected by evacuation orders issued by various local governments.

Some 6,400 residents were evacuated after the Goesan Dam began to overflow at around 06:30 local time on Saturday (21:30 GMT on Friday), South Korean news agency Yonhap said.

Advertisement

A number of low-lying villages near the dam, as well as many of the roads connecting them, were said to have been submerged, leaving some residents trapped in their homes.

Korail, the country’s national rail operator, has announced the suspension of all slow trains and some bullet trains, and said other bullet train services would be disrupted.

Advertisement

Late on Friday, a train was derailed in North Chungcheong after a landslide threw earth and sand onto the tracks.

One engineer was injured in the incident, but the train was not carrying passengers at the time.

Advertisement

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast more rainfall through to Wednesday next week. It warned that the weather conditions pose a “grave” danger.

Extreme rain has caused floods and landslides across several countries including India, China and Japan over the past fortnight.

Advertisement

While many factors contribute to flooding, scientists say a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. The warmer it becomes, the more moisture the atmosphere can hold.

Advertisement
citynews

Recent Posts

Zenith Bank Kicks Off Yuletide Season With Spectacular Ajose Adeogun Street Light-Up

L-R: Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Henry Oroh; General Manager, Quantum Markets, Mrs. Dani…

4 hours ago

Lagos 2025 Budget Scales Second Reading

  - Speaker gives committee 1 month to report back The Lagos State House of…

5 hours ago

LaLiga: People don’t speak of him – Mbappe names very important Real Madrid player

Real Madrid attacker, Kylian Mbappe has identified teammate Fede Valverde as a very important player…

6 hours ago

Oliseh Reveals Why Eguavoen Should Remain Super Eagles Coach

Former Super Eagles player and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed his unwavering support for Augustine…

6 hours ago

Ruud Van Nistelrooy Set To Be Named Manager Of Premier League Club

Dutch tactician, Ruud van Nistelrooy has emerged as a leading candidate for the managerial position at…

6 hours ago

Patoraking breaks silence following burial of his sister & her husband

Patoranking has broken his silence following the burial of his sister and her husband. Recall…

7 hours ago