Introduction:
Severe flooding caused by heavy rains in South Korea has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread damage. The recovery operation continues as officials work tirelessly to locate missing individuals and mitigate the impact of the disaster. The central city of Cheongju, particularly the Osong underground roadway, has been severely affected, with the recent recovery of additional bodies bringing the total count of fatalities to 49. Amidst the ongoing rescue efforts, the country braces itself for further rainfall and potential escalation of the situation.
Flooding at the Osong Underground Roadway:
The Osong underground roadway in Cheongju was inundated on Saturday when a nearby river overflowed due to heavy rain. Rising water levels caused an embankment to collapse, leading to the flooding of the road. Overnight, four more bodies, including the submerged bus driver, were recovered, adding to the five previously found deceased. Rescue teams faced challenges due to waist-high water mixed with mud, hindering their efforts to locate missing individuals.
National Impact and Rescue Operations:
Nationwide, the heavy rains have claimed at least 40 lives, with 19 fatalities reported in the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang. Tragically, nine people remain missing, with eight of them in North Gyeongsang Province. Reports indicate that 34 individuals have sustained injuries. As the search continues for the submerged vehicles in the underpass, the number of casualties is expected to rise.
Widespread Damage and Evacuations:
The torrential downpours have caused significant damage to public and private properties. A total of 789 public facilities and 352 private properties, predominantly in the southern part of the country, have been affected by the relentless rainfall. As a result, 10,765 individuals have been evacuated from their homes. Thousands of people across the nation have been unable to return due to temporary evacuation measures.
Continued Weather Warnings:
The South Korean Meteorological Agency issued heavy rain warnings for the Chungcheong provinces, southern regions, and Jeju Island. The Jeolla provinces and surrounding areas are expected to receive additional rainfall of up to 40 mm per hour. Forecasts indicate that Chungcheong and southern regions may experience up to 200 mm of rain, while the rest of the country could receive between 10 mm and 100 mm until Tuesday.
Conclusion:
South Korea continues to face the devastating consequences of heavy rainfall, with casualties mounting and significant damage to infrastructure. Rescue operations persist, aiming to locate missing individuals and alleviate the impact on affected communities. As the country prepares for more rainfall in the coming days, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of citizens and minimizing further damage.
