South Korea Grapples with Deadly Floods as Death Toll Rises to 14
South Korea is currently in the grips of a severe flood crisis, as five consecutive days of torrential rains have led to widespread devastation. As of Sunday, July 20, 2025, the nationwide death toll has tragically risen to 14, with 12 individuals still reported missing. The unrelenting downpours have triggered landslides, flash floods, and significant infrastructure damage across the country.
Key Details of the Situation:
Casualties and Missing:
Current Toll: The death toll now stands at 14, with 12 people still unaccounted for.
Recent Fatalities: On Sunday, two more deaths were reported in Gapyeong, a town northeast of Seoul. One person died when their house collapsed, and another was found after being swept away by a swollen stream.
Sancheong Heavily Impacted: The southern town of Sancheong has been particularly hard-hit, with eight bodies recovered and six people still missing following landslides, house collapses, and flash floods on Saturday. Sancheong has recorded nearly 800 mm (31 inches) of rain since Wednesday.
Earlier Incidents: Earlier in the week, three people were found dead in a submerged car, and another person was killed in Osan, just south of Seoul, when their car was buried by debris after a retaining wall collapsed.
Affected Regions and Rainfall:
Widespread Impact: The heavy rainfall, which began on July 16, has impacted numerous parts of South Korea. Affected areas include Naju, Gwangju, Seoul, Honseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla, and Sancheong.
Record Precipitation: Southern regions have experienced exceptionally high rainfall:
Seosan, in South Chungcheong province, recorded over 500 mm (nearly 20 inches) of rain since Wednesday.
Gwangju received a record 426.4 mm of rain on Thursday alone, its highest single-day total since records began in 1939.
Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi province saw close to 170 mm of rain early Sunday.
Exceeding Annual Averages: In some areas, the past four days alone have accounted for 40% of their annual average rainfall.
Displacement and Damage:
Evacuations: Approximately 3,840 people remain evacuated from their homes as of Sunday morning, though over 5,000 had been displaced at one point. Most evacuees are sheltering in schools and public facilities.
Infrastructure Destruction: Widespread damage to public infrastructure has been reported, including flooded roads, collapsed river facilities, and landslides. Private property damage exceeds 1,000 cases, encompassing flooded buildings and submerged farmlands.
Landslides: The continuous heavy rain has triggered multiple landslides, leading to houses collapsing and vehicles being buried.
Response and Outlook:
Emergency Efforts: National authorities have deployed nearly 300 staff and volunteers to provide humanitarian aid, distribute emergency supplies, and establish evacuation sites.
Rain Easing: Fortunately, the rain has reportedly ceased in most parts of South Korea on Sunday, and heavy rain alerts have been lifted nationwide.
Post-Rain Concerns: However, authorities are now expressing concerns about a potential heat wave that could follow the heavy rainfall.
This critical situation underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which scientists largely attribute to climate change. Despite South Korea's usual preparedness for monsoon rains, the country has faced unprecedented downpours this year.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
