At least 17 fatalities have been recorded in South Korea due to catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by been relentless downpours over several days, according to the nation's disaster management office. As rescue operations ramp up, there are concerns that the death toll may increase, with 11 individuals still unaccounted for.
Scenes from the disaster-stricken area, such as the resort town of Gapyeong, revealed individuals navigating through thick mud on damaged bridges towards evacuation shelters. Additionally, a landslide overwhelmed an entire village in the central Chungcheong region, burying it under tons of earth and debris as captured in footage from Saturday.
The hardest-hit areas are located in the southern part of the country, particularly the town of Sancheong, where six fatalities and seven missing persons have been reported. The ferocious floods have damaged and submerged countless roads and buildings, with impacts extending to agricultural lands and widespread livestock deaths.
Reports indicate that close to 10,000 residents have been displaced since the severe rainfall commenced on Wednesday, and over 41,000 households are reported to have lost power temporarily, according to local media outlets. While rainfall in the southern and central areas has begun to recede, heavy downpours are expected to affect northern regions, including the capital, Seoul.
In response to the widespread devastation, President Lee Jae-myung announced on Sunday that the hardest hit regions would be classified as special disaster zones, initiating a coordinated recovery effort by the government. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung urged local authorities to allocate all available resources swiftly to assist affected communities.
Among the casualties was a landslide in northern Gapyeong County where two people were swept away as properties collapsed under the mud. Although forecasts suggest rainfall may cease by late Sunday, the region is bracing for a subsequent intense heatwave, adding to the challenges facing recovery efforts in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
