In brief
As floods and landslides wreak havoc across South Korea, communities are left to rebuild amidst ongoing threats of more rain.
At least 18 lives have been lost in South Korea due to severe landslides and floods caused by relentless rainfall, according to government reports released on Monday. With officials indicating that the death toll could increase, rescuers are actively searching for nine individuals still unaccounted for as they sift through rubble and scour swollen rivers for survivors.Since last Wednesday, certain southern and western provinces of the country have experienced up to 31 inches of torrential rainfall, with Sancheong County being among the hardest hit. Here, 10 individuals were reported dead and four others are still missing after nearly 12 inches fell in just one day. Local officials alerted around 33,000 residents to the risks of floods and landslides, prompting widespread evacuations.Destruction is evident as visuals reveal ruined strawberry greenhouses and vehicles overturned in debris. Many elderly residents are left disheartened as they confront the remains of their homes buried under large boulders washed in by the floods, and reports indicate significant power and water shortages are affecting the area. In Gapyeong County, a tragic incident occurred when a family camping near a stream was caught in a sudden landslide. While one son was saved, the father’s body was discovered miles downstream. Rescuers are still searching for the boy's mother and younger sister. In all, 14,000 individuals have been evacuated due to damage to homes and farmland. The agricultural impact includes destruction across fields totaling nearly 40,000 soccer fields, with millions of livestock lost, including 1.4 million chickens. In response to the disaster, President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to designate affected areas as special disaster zones, allowing access to tax breaks and aid. Fortunately, as weather warnings moderated, many evacuated residents returned to assess their homes. With military personnel assisting in cleanup efforts, towns are gradually attempting to clear debris and restore normalcy. However, weather forecasts predict additional rain could disrupt recovery efforts, and authorities are taking precautions against potential disease outbreaks.
