SEOUL: Rescue efforts are underway in South Korea as the country grapples with the aftermath of heavy rains, flooding, and landslides that have killed at least 33 people, while 10 others remain missing. The nation is currently experiencing the peak of its summer monsoon season, with relentless rainfall over the past four days resulting in the overflow of a major dam.
According to the interior ministry, the victims were mostly buried by landslides or were swept away after falling into a flooded reservoir. The situation remains critical, with rescue workers facing significant challenges, including reaching more than 10 cars trapped in a 430-meter underground tunnel in Cheongju, North Chungcheong province.
The tunnel was inundated on Saturday morning when floodwaters rushed in too rapidly for those inside to escape, as reported by the Yonhap news agency. So far, seven bodies have been recovered from the tunnel, while divers continue their arduous search for more victims.
Tragic scenes captured on local television depict a powerful torrent of water from an overflowing river, flooding into the tunnel as rescue teams struggle to navigate the area with boats to reach those trapped inside.
South Korea’s Govt Response to Calamity
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently on an overseas trip, held an emergency meeting with his aides to address the government’s response to the calamity. He has directed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to mobilize all available resources to minimize further casualties.
The majority of the fatalities, including 17 of the deceased and nine of the missing, were reported in North Gyeongsang province, predominantly due to massive landslides that engulfed houses with people inside. Some individuals who have been reported missing were swept away when a river overflowed in the same province, according to the interior ministry.
The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued a warning, stating that more rain is expected until Wednesday, and the weather conditions pose a “grave” danger. Although South Korea typically faces flooding during the summer monsoon season, the country is usually well-prepared, resulting in a relatively low death toll.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide to climate change. South Korea itself witnessed record-breaking rainfall and flooding last year, which claimed the lives of over 11 people. Among the victims were three individuals trapped in a Seoul basement apartment, reminiscent of the acclaimed film “Parasite.”
The government cited climate change as the cause for the unprecedented weather, stating that the 2022 flooding was the heaviest rainfall recorded in Seoul over the past 115 years. As South Korea grapples with the current disaster, the nation is reminded of the urgent need to address the challenges posed by climate change and strengthen its resilience to future extreme weather events.
