Extreme Rainfall Triggers Emergency
South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported that four people died and 1,382 others were evacuated over the past two days as torrential downpours swept across western and southern regions. In parts of South Chungcheong Province, rainfall measured up to 420 mm (16.5 inches) since Wednesday/
Fatal Flashpoints: Vehicles and Collapsed Walls
Among the casualties:
- A driver in Osan, near Seoul, was killed when a 10 m-high retaining wall collapsed onto his vehicle=.
- Other victims included individuals trapped in a submerged car, a flooded basement, and a stream, as roads and homes rapidly filled with water.
Mass Evacuations Amid Rising Waters
Over 5,000 residents were initially evacuated from flood-prone areas in Gwangju, Yesan, and Seosan; approximately 3,300 remained sheltered as of early Friday morning. Authorities also suspended 46 flights due to severe weather disruptions.
Infrastructure Strained by Record Rainfall
Gwangju recorded over 400 mm (16 inches) of rainfall in a single day—the heaviest such figure in 86 years. In one two-hour window, 87 roads and 38 buildings were submerged in Gwangju alone.
President Lee Calls for Swift Action
President Lee Jae Myung convened an emergency meeting, warning that some deaths were preventable and urging deployment of “all available resources” to improve forecasting, disaster-preparedness, and public-alert systems.
Risks Remain High Through Weekend
The Korea Meteorological Administration and Forest Service issued ongoing alerts for landslides and flood risk, anticipating continued heavy rainfall through Saturday.
What Comes Next
- Intensified rescue efforts to ensure safe evacuation of vulnerable communities.
- Infrastructure checks on retaining walls, roads, and flood-control systems across affected regions.
- A post-monsoon review aimed at upgrading early-warning mechanisms and urban planning in response to increased climate volatility.
Final Word
This weekend’s powerful downpours—culminating in four deaths and over a thousand evacuations—underscore South Korea’s mounting challenge from extreme weather. As climate-driven risks escalate, authorities face mounting pressure to fortify infrastructure, forecasting, and community readiness before the next storm strikes.
