Four fatalities have been confirmed, and over 1,300 individuals have been evacuated due to relentless torrential rains that have inundated various regions in South Korea.
**Torrential Rains Devastate South Korea: Four Dead and Thousands Evacuated**
**Torrential Rains Devastate South Korea: Four Dead and Thousands Evacuated**
Heavy rains in South Korea have triggered the highest disaster alert as authorities grapple with severe flooding.
As heavy rains continue to batter South Korea, authorities have raised the weather-related disaster alert to its highest level. At least four people have lost their lives as a result of the catastrophic weather, with more than 1,300 others forced to evacuate their homes. Among the deceased are two elderly men, one of whom reportedly died while attempting to drain floodwaters from his basement. A third victim lost his life when a wall collapsed on his car, just moments after he communicated with his wife about the impending flood threat. A fourth individual succumbed to cardiac arrest during the chaos.
Witness accounts describe a chilling reality, with one resident from Gwangju stating, "I've never seen a flood here before, since there is no stream or river in this neighbourhood." This latest bout of rain has created unprecedented flooding in cities like Seosan, where locals experienced over 400mm of rain in just 12 hours—the weather agency deems such occurrences a once-in-a-century event.
Footage circulating on social networks captures the devastating impact, including submerged vehicles and homes, with furniture floating perilously. Local businesses, such as cafes, have had to close due to inundation, with operators like Kim Ha-min struggling to clean up the aftermath. Reports also indicate injuries across the country, including cases of hypothermia.
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to evacuate affected individuals, urging caution around riverbanks and steep terrains due to the heightened risk of landslides and flash floods. Experts attribute the severe weather conditions to a combination of dry air interacting with hot, humid air in the region. Despite the current conditions, forecasters anticipate a shift back to high temperatures in the coming week, raising concerns about an impending heatwave.
Witness accounts describe a chilling reality, with one resident from Gwangju stating, "I've never seen a flood here before, since there is no stream or river in this neighbourhood." This latest bout of rain has created unprecedented flooding in cities like Seosan, where locals experienced over 400mm of rain in just 12 hours—the weather agency deems such occurrences a once-in-a-century event.
Footage circulating on social networks captures the devastating impact, including submerged vehicles and homes, with furniture floating perilously. Local businesses, such as cafes, have had to close due to inundation, with operators like Kim Ha-min struggling to clean up the aftermath. Reports also indicate injuries across the country, including cases of hypothermia.
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to evacuate affected individuals, urging caution around riverbanks and steep terrains due to the heightened risk of landslides and flash floods. Experts attribute the severe weather conditions to a combination of dry air interacting with hot, humid air in the region. Despite the current conditions, forecasters anticipate a shift back to high temperatures in the coming week, raising concerns about an impending heatwave.
