At least 46 people have died or gone missing in South Korea as the country experiences heavy monsoon rains, causing severe flooding and landslides. The central and southeastern parts of the country have been the hardest hit, with 37 reported deaths and nine people still missing. North Gyeongsang has seen the most fatalities, with 19 deaths, followed by North Chungcheong with 12, South Chungcheong with four, and Sejong with one.
Search and rescue operations are underway in multiple areas, and authorities warn that the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days. This year’s monsoon season has already seen the highest number of deaths and missing persons since 2011, with 46 reported so far compared to last year’s total of 30. With more torrential rains forecasted for the same regions affected last week, residents are being advised to stay vigilant.
The underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju, has been a major site of casualties, with floods trapping 15 vehicles inside, including a bus. Nine people have been found dead at the tunnel site and nine others have been rescued, but the total number of missing individuals is still unknown.
In Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang, a series of landslides have caused 19 deaths, with at least eight people still missing.
To date, approximately 8,000 people from 4,600 households in 90 cities, counties, or districts have evacuated their homes to escape the floods. Many roads have been closed, and public and private property damage is widespread.
Weather officials are predicting additional heavy rainfall for the Chungcheong regions and North Gyeongsang, with possibilities of receiving up to 80 millimeters of rain per hour in the hardest-hit areas. President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for swift measures to support those affected by the monsoon, and international leaders, including Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, have expressed their condolences and support.
As the search and rescue operations continue and the country braces for more heavy rains, it is crucial for authorities and residents to remain prepared and take necessary precautions to minimize the impact of the ongoing monsoon season.
