South Korea Faces Catastrophic Floods: Four Lives Lost, Thousands Evacuated

In South Korea, four fatalities have been reported, with numerous evacuations, as torrential rains inundate the nation, marking an alarming weather event.

In a devastating turn of events, heavy rains across South Korea have led to the death of four individuals and the evacuation of over 1,300 residents as authorities issue their highest weather-related disaster alert. This unprecedented deluge has been characterized as a once-in-a-century event, particularly affecting the city of Seosan, where approximately 400mm of rain fell within just six hours. Among the deceased are two elderly men, one of whom attempted to drain floodwaters from his basement before tragedy struck. In another case, a man was fatally injured by a collapsing wall while seeking shelter in his vehicle, shortly before he called his wife to report that the floodwaters were overwhelming his car. A fourth victim succumbed to cardiac arrest during the chaos.

Residents, like cafe owner Kim Ha-min in Gwangju, described the shock of experiencing such extreme weather, stating that her café was forced to close due to floodwaters and the unbearable stench from sewer backups. “Everything is covered by water except the roof [of my house],” lamented one affected resident in an online message, epitomizing the despair felt by many in the impacted areas.

As rescue efforts continue, authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant, advising against approaching riverbanks and steep slopes due to the heightened risks of flash floods and landslides. Amid this catastrophe, meteorologists point to a mix of dry air from the northwest with warmer, humid air from the south as the cause of these massive rain clouds. However, in an ironic twist, forecasts indicate that high temperatures and potential heatwave conditions may return next week once this deluge subsides.