Death Toll in South Korea Rises to 14 as Heavy Rain Sparks Landslides and Flooding

Death Toll in South Korea Rises to 14 as Heavy Rain Sparks Landslides and Flooding

The death toll in South Korea has risen to 14 following a week of torrential rains that have led to landslides and widespread flooding. The heaviest rainfall on record has caused significant damage and disruption across the country, with officials reporting that at least eight people are still missing.

The downpour began on Wednesday and has since affected various regions, with the southern and central parts of the country being particularly hard-hit. The resort town of Gapyeong in Gyeonggi province was one of the worst affected areas, with close to 170mm of rain falling in a short period, leading to a landslide that engulfed houses and swept away vehicles [1].

The heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and private properties. According to the Ministry of Interior, more than 7,000 people have been evacuated, with over 2,800 still unable to return home. The death toll includes individuals who suffered cardiac arrests in flooded vehicles and those who were found dead in flooded basements or under collapsed retaining walls [3].

The government has issued warnings about the risk of further landslides and flooding, with authorities urging caution and advising residents to remain indoors. The rainfall is expected to continue until Monday in some areas, with weather officials forecasting a heatwave to follow [3].

South Korea is typically prepared for monsoon rains in July, but the intensity and frequency of this week's downpours have been unprecedented. Officials have attributed the extreme weather events to climate change, which is making such events more frequent and intense worldwide [1].

References:
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/20/south-korea-rains-weeks-death-toll-rises-to-11-with-more-missing
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/world/several-killed-missing-heavy-rain-hits-south-korea-10137711/
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/19/four-dead-as-south-korea-lashed-by-torrential-rain-displacing-thousands