Torrential Rains Kill 18 in South Korea, Cause Widespread Flood Damage

 

South Korea is reeling after days of torrential rain caused deadly flooding and landslides, killing at least 18 people and leaving 9 others missing. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety confirmed the death toll on Monday, as rains finally began to ease. In Gapyeong, a town 62 kilometres northeast of Seoul, 173 millimetres of rain fell in just 17 hours on Sunday, setting a new record for daily rainfall. Many residents there narrowly escaped with their lives. Ahn Gyeong-bun, a 65-year-old restaurant owner, described clinging to an iron pipe as water surged up to her neck. Her restaurant, which she had run for a decade, was nearly destroyed, with several refrigerators washed away in the flood. Gapyeong was among the worst-hit areas, where two people died and four were reported missing after a landslide buried homes. Floods also swept away vehicles and damaged infrastructure across multiple provinces. A total of 1,999 public structures and 2,238 private properties, including farms, have been affected. While the rainfall has subsided, much of the country is now under a heatwave watch. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who took office in June, has ordered an urgent and thorough response. His administration is reviewing the causes of the destruction and plans to hold public officials accountable if negligence is found. Officials emphasized the need for tailored flood response systems, noting that extreme local rainfall is becoming more common due to climate change.

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As emergency response teams continue recovery efforts across South Korea, the full extent of damage from the torrential rains is becoming clearer. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has reported nearly 4,300 total damage cases spanning public facilities like roads, bridges, and embankments, as well as private properties including homes, small businesses, and farms. In some towns, entire buildings were submerged, vehicles destroyed, and personal belongings swept away. One of the most emotional scenes emerged from Gapyeong, where local residents like Ahn Gyeong-bun are left with nothing. Her restaurant, situated near a river, now stands in ruins. “What am I supposed to do now?” she asked tearfully. Her story mirrors that of many other South Koreans now facing the daunting task of rebuilding without immediate answers or support. The national weather agency has shifted its warnings from floods to extreme heat, placing many areas under a heatwave watch. Authorities worry this could complicate recovery efforts, especially for displaced families and emergency workers. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized that the country must improve disaster preparedness. His administration has been criticized for the handling of previous disasters, and Lee has pledged a new era of accountability. A statement from his office confirmed that if any signs of official negligence are found, responsible parties will face consequences. Kang Yu-jung, a spokesperson for the president, stated that each region in the country must adopt disaster plans tailored to its specific risks. As South Korea begins the recovery process, attention is also turning to how climate change is making extreme weather more common, demanding long-term solutions in infrastructure and emergency response planning.

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