At least 18 individuals have lost their lives in South Korea due to devastating landslides and floods caused by unprecedented torrential rains, with the government expressing grave concerns as rescue efforts intensify. The disaster struck various regions, predominantly affecting the southern and western provinces, where approximately 31 inches of rain fell since last Wednesday.
Sancheong, a county adjacent to the central south coast, suffered the most significant impact, witnessing 10 deaths and four missing individuals. Some areas, including Sancheong, saw nearly 12 inches of rain on Saturday alone, prompting officials to caution the 33,000 residents about potential floods and landslides.
Images circulating on social media and news outlets depict extensive destruction, notably among strawberry greenhouses, while vehicles have been overturned amidst the chaos. Aging members of the community helplessly watch as large boulders, swept by the rains, occupy their front yards. Reports emerge of power and water shortages, further complicating the situation.
In Gapyeong County, northeast of Seoul, the tragedy struck a family of four camping beside a stream when a sudden landslide and flood hit their tent early Sunday. The son was rescued, but his father was found dead four miles downstream, and rescue operations for the mother and 11-year-old daughter are ongoing, with teams using ropes and rappelling gear to navigate flooded stream conditions.
The home ministry has indicated that about 14,000 people had to evacuate as their homes and agricultural lands were damaged or destroyed. The extent of the destruction is monumental, with farmland equivalent to 40,000 soccer fields affected while nearly 1.5 million livestock, including 1.4 million chickens, perished in the disaster.
In response, President Lee Jae Myung announced that special disaster zone status would be granted to the most severely impacted areas, enabling the government to offer tax exemptions and relief support.
By Monday, the rain subsided slightly, allowing most evacuated families to return home, albeit to the daunting challenge of rebuilding. Soldiers have been deployed to assist with clearing debris and transporting ruined furniture away from residences. However, weather officials have warned of potential additional rainfall, particularly in central and northern regions, alongside the emergence of a heat wave in the south. To combat potential disease outbreaks resulting from the floods, authorities have commenced spraying chemicals throughout villages in affected areas.
Choe Sang-Hun, a prominent reporter for The Times in Seoul, continues to cover this unfolding story for readers seeking more information on this crisis.
