Heavy rains in South Korea cause death toll to rise

Torrential rains that hit South Korea over the past four days have caused widespread devastation. According to official reports, at least five people have died, four are missing, and over 7,000 residents have been evacuated.

On Saturday morning, a landslide in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, destroyed two homes. One person was found dead, and two others remain missing as rescue operations continue.

In response to the worsening crisis, the National Fire Agency issued a nationwide firefighting mobilization order.

Central and local authorities have confirmed five deaths and four missing persons so far. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is expected to provide updated casualty figures later in the day.

Weather services warned of up to 250 mm of additional rainfall today, increasing the risk of more flooding, landslides, and casualties.

Evacuation orders have been issued to 7,029 residents across 4,995 households. Over 2,800 people still have not been able to return home.

The rains have flooded roads, caused landslides, and submerged homes nationwide. For example, Yeongheung Island near Incheon recorded 98.5 mm of rain in one hour, while Boseong in South Jeolla Province saw 88 mm.

Some regions received over 40% of their annual rainfall in just four days. Seosan recorded 558.6 mm, equating to 45% of its annual average.

Officials reported 729 cases of public infrastructure damage, including 388 flooded roads, 133 landslides, and 57 river facility collapses.

Private property damage totaled 1,014 cases, with 64 flooded buildings and 59 cases of submerged farmland.

Hundreds of emergency workers and specialized equipment are currently deployed. Social media footage highlights the scale of the crisis.

Experts link the disaster to climate change and rapid urbanization. Authorities urge citizens to stay alert and follow all safety guidelines.

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