Nine bodies have been recovered by rescue workers attempting to reach vehicles trapped in a flooded tunnel near the South Korean city of Cheongiu, BBC reports.
Continuous heavy rain caused floodwater to rapidly inundate the underpass, leaving passengers and drivers stranded in their cars without means of escape. Tragically, the death toll from the widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages that have affected the country has reached 37, with nine individuals still missing. While the exact number of people trapped in the 685-meter (2,247-foot) long tunnel in Osong remains unclear, it is believed that 15 submerged vehicles are involved. Some of the deceased were found inside a bus, while nine survivors were rescued on Saturday.
Families of the victims are expressing their belief that the fatalities could have been prevented if local authorities had responded more effectively. Several local media outlets reported that the river flood control office had issued a warning about the rising water levels a few hours prior to the tragedy, suggesting that traffic in the tunnel area should have been diverted.
The majority of the other casualties occurred in the mountainous North Gyeongsang region, where landslides destroyed entire houses. South Korea experienced approximately 300mm (11.8 inches) of rainfall on Saturday, well within the country's annual average of 1,000mm (39.4 inches) to 1,800mm (70.9 inches), according to the Korean Meteorological Association, although a significant portion of this rainfall typically occurs during the summer months.
Aerial images of the flood-affected areas depict brown mud and deep floodwaters, with only the roofs of submerged structures visible. Thousands of individuals have been affected by evacuation orders issued by local governments, prompting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to seek assistance from the military in rescue operations.
Early on Saturday morning, approximately 6,400 residents were evacuated as the Goesan Dam in North Chungcheong began to overflow, leading to the submersion of several low-lying villages and connecting roads. Meanwhile, a landslide resulted in a train derailment in North Chungcheong late on Friday, causing injury to one engineer, although there were no passengers aboard.
In response to the severe weather conditions, Korail, the national rail operator, has suspended slow trains and some bullet train services, with disruptions expected for other bullet trains as well. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued a forecast for more rainfall until the following Wednesday and has warned of the "grave" danger posed by the weather conditions. Over the past two weeks, extreme rainfall has caused floods and landslides in various countries, including India, China, and Japan.
While flooding can be influenced by multiple factors, scientists assert that a warming atmosphere resulting from climate change increases the likelihood of extreme rainfall events. As the atmosphere becomes warmer, it can hold more moisture, leading to heavier and more concentrated rainfall in shorter periods and over smaller areas.
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