South Korea is grappling with tragic consequences from an unprecedented rain event that has led to four deaths and the evacuation of over 1,300 individuals. The country raised its weather-related disaster alert to the highest level as relentless rain continues to batter several regions. Among the deceased victims were two elderly men, one of whom was reportedly attempting to eliminate floodwaters from his basement before meeting with disaster. Another victim was killed when a wall collapsed on his car, just moments after he called his spouse to express concern about rising water levels.
In Gwangju, a cafe owner, Kim Ha-min, expressed disbelief, stating that this was her first experience with such extreme rainfall. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 400mm of rain fell on Seosan, the most severely impacted area, causing residents to describe the situation as akin to a once-in-a-century occurrence. Social media has been inundated with images showing homes and vehicles submerged in water, with residents conveying their shock and fear regarding the unprecedented flooding.
The record rainfall has overwhelmed several communities, forcing the evacuation of thousands and raising concerns about public safety. Injuries have also been reported, including cases of hypothermia and leg injuries, as authorities work tirelessly to relocate residents to safer areas. Officials have advised against staying near riverbanks or steep inclines, highlighting the heightened risk of landslides and flash floods due to the current weather patterns.
Meteorological experts attribute the torrential rain to a clash of dry air from the northwest and hot humid air from the south, which has generated abnormally large rain clouds. While the forecast suggests a return to high temperatures next week, residents are left to deal with the aftermath of this severe weather event, raising questions about how prepared the nation is for such devastating meteorological phenomena in the future.
