Severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in South Korea has tragically claimed the lives of at least 22 people, with ongoing downpours affecting central region Chungcheong, BBC News has reported.
Over the past three days, torrential rains have triggered landslides and breached a major dam in the North Chungcheong Province. The intense downpour has submerged roads, swept away vehicles, and destroyed railway lines.
Additionally, 14 people are reported missing, and thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes. The majority of the casualties occurred in the North Gyeongsang Province, where landslides in mountainous areas caused significant damage to houses. Local emergency services have reported entire homes being swept away in the hardest-hit areas. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has requested military assistance in rescue operations.
Authorities have also reported that 19 cars were submerged in an underground tunnel in the Chungcheong Province, raising concerns about further casualties. Evacuation orders issued by various local authorities have affected thousands of people. Approximately 6,400 residents were evacuated after the Goesan Dam began overflowing around 6:30 AM local time on July 15, according to the South Korean news agency Renhap. Several low-lying villages near the dam, as well as connecting roads, were flooded, leaving some residents trapped in their homes.
The national railway operator, Korail, has announced the suspension of all slow-speed trains and some high-speed train services, with disruptions expected on other high-speed routes.
Heavy rains over the past two weeks have caused flooding and landslides in several countries, including India, China, and Japan. While various factors contribute to these incidents, scientists point to climate change-induced atmospheric warming as a significant factor increasing the likelihood of extreme precipitation. As the atmosphere becomes warmer, it can hold more moisture, intensifying the impact of rainfall.
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