South Korea is currently grappling with the aftermath of torrential rains and severe flooding, which have tragically resulted in the loss of 33 lives, with 10 individuals still reported as missing. The country is in the midst of its summer monsoon season, experiencing relentless heavy rainfall for the past four days, causing widespread flooding and dangerous landslides.
The situation took a dire turn when a crucial dam overflowed due to the continuous downpours. The nation’s interior ministry confirmed that the heavy rains led to the deaths of 33 people, many of whom were either buried under landslides or swept away into flooded reservoirs.
Rescue teams are facing considerable challenges as they endeavor to reach more than 10 vehicles trapped inside a 430-meter underground tunnel located in North Chungcheong province’s Cheongju area. The tunnel was inundated on Saturday morning, catching the occupants off guard and making escape impossible. Divers have been tirelessly working to retrieve the bodies of the victims, with seven recovered thus far.
Heart-wrenching accounts of distraught parents have emerged, such as one who expressed the painful realization that their child was trapped in the cold water within the tunnel. Despite the lack of hope, the parent refused to leave the scene, highlighting the overwhelming emotions surrounding this calamity.
Distressing visuals broadcasted on local television have depicted a forceful surge of water from an adjacent river, breaching its banks and flooding into the tunnel. Rescue personnel have been utilizing boats to navigate the treacherous waters and reach those stranded inside.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently on an overseas trip, held an emergency meeting with his advisors to discuss the government’s response to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding. He promptly directed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to mobilize all available resources to minimize further casualties.
Most of the fatalities, including 17 of the deceased and nine of the missing individuals, were reported in North Gyeongsang province. The mountainous region witnessed substantial landslides that engulfed houses with occupants still inside. In addition, some of the missing persons were swept away when a river overflowed in the province, according to the interior ministry.
Tragically, the inclement weather is predicted to persist until Wednesday, with the Korea Meteorological Administration warning of a “grave” danger. South Korea is accustomed to flooding during the summer monsoon season, and although the country is typically well-prepared, the current toll on human life remains significant.
Scientists assert that climate change has contributed to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide. South Korea has endured previous bouts of record-breaking rainfall and flooding, with last year’s devastation claiming over 11 lives. Notably, three individuals tragically perished in a basement apartment in Seoul, reminiscent of the internationally acclaimed film “Parasite.” The government attributed the extreme weather to climate change, stating that it marked the heaviest rainfall in Seoul’s recorded weather history of 115 years.
