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South Korea reports record rainfall in 80 years, 7 dead

Climate change caused by human activity made torrential rains that have lashed East Africa since October and killed more than
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Officials said on Tuesday that at least seven people were killed and six others were missing after South Korea experienced the heaviest rainfall in 80 years, flooding homes, vehicles, buildings, and subway stations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, heavy rains of more than 100 millimetres per hour fell on parts of Seoul, the western port city of Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, on Monday night.

At one point, per-hour precipitation in Seoul’s Dongjak district exceeded 141.5 mm, the highest since 1942.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts up to 300 mm more rain for the capital area through Thursday, with Gyeonggi likely to receive more than 350 mm.

Five of the seven victims were reported in Seoul, with the remaining two in Gyeonggi.

While four people have gone missing in the capital, two have been reported missing in the province.

In Gyeonggi, nine people were injured, and 163 people from 107 households in the capital area were left homeless, taking refuge in schools and other public facilities.

The downpours also knocked out many public facilities, with eight cases of flooded railroads reported in Seoul, Incheon, and elsewhere, and causing temporary service suspensions on sections of some railway and subway lines.

Around 80 kilometres of road, three underground roadways, and 26 riverside parking lots were closed.

Entry to 134 hiking courses at four national mountain parks, including Mount Bukhan on Seoul’s northern outskirts, remains prohibited.

On Tuesday, 19 passenger ferry routes were also out of service.

88 people were also rescued from flooded streams in Gyeonggi and other areas by fire authorities.

The Interior Ministry has raised the alert level for flood damage from “alert” to “serious.”

Landslide advisories were issued by the Korea Forest Service in 47 cities and counties across the country, including nine districts in Seoul and parts of Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and North and South Chungcheong provinces.

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Brendan Taylor

Brendan Taylor was a TV news producer for 5 and a half years. He is an experienced writer. Brendan covers Breaking News at Insider Paper.







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