South Korea Death Toll Rises to 14 in Heavy Rains, Thousands Displaced

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of residents in South Korea have been left homeless after torrential rains caused flooding, landslides, and widespread damage to roads, buildings, and farmland. The disaster, which began on Tuesday, has resulted in the deaths of 14 people, with 12 still missing. The heavy rainfall has also caused widespread power outages, with over 1,920 cases of flooded roads and 2,234 cases of damaged private property reported. The majority of the deaths occurred in the southern county of Sancheong, which has seen nearly 800mm of rain since Wednesday.

Key Takeaways:

  • The death toll from heavy rainfall in South Korea has risen to 14, with 12 more people missing since the disaster began.
  • A landslide in the resort town of Gapyeong on Sunday caused two deaths and four people to go missing, with a woman in her 70s killed when her house collapsed and a man in his 40s found drowned near a bridge.
  • Close to 170mm of rainfall was recorded in Gyeonggi province, about 70km east of Seoul, while the southern county of Sancheong received nearly 800mm of rain since Wednesday.
  • The adjacent county of Hapcheon received 699mm of rain, and the nearby county of Hadong got 621.5mm.
  • A total of 12,921 people have taken shelter across 14 major cities and provinces, with 1,920 cases of flooded roads, soil loss, and destroyed public facilities, and 2,234 cases of damage to private property reported.
  • Scientists say climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent and intense around the world.
  • In 2022, South Korea endured record-breaking rains and flooding, which killed at least 11 people.

Statistics:

  • Death toll rose to 14
  • 12 people missing since the disaster began
  • 170mm of rainfall recorded in Gyeonggi province
  • 800mm of rain received in Sancheong county since Wednesday
  • 699mm of rain received in Hapcheon county
  • 621.5mm of rain received in Hadong county
  • 1,920 cases of flooded roads, soil loss, and destroyed public facilities
  • 2,234 cases of damage to private property
  • 12,921 people taking shelter across 14 major cities and provinces

Sources:

  • AFP news agency
  • South Korea's official news agency Yonhap
  • Al Jazeera news website