Record rainfall leaves at least eight people dead in South Korea's capital, Seoul, as the country observes its heaviest downpour in decades that has flooded streets and subway stations.
Some of the victims lost their lives by drowning inside their homes, while others are still reported missing as authorities forecast more rain is coming. Deserted cars and buses could be seen scattered across streets as the water receded on Tuesday.
Record Rainfall in Seoul
Workers also tried to clear uprooted trees, mud, and debris using excavators and blocked off broken roads and pavement. Officials issued landslide warnings in nearly 50 cities and towns across the nation, while 160 hiking paths in Seoul and mountainous Gangwon province were closed off.
In a statement while at the government's emergency headquarters, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that the heavy rainfall is expected to continue for several more days. He argued that the country needs to maintain its sense of alertness and respond with all-out effort.
The president also said that he directed officials' attention to areas vulnerable to landslides or flooding and to reduce the dangers of roads and facilities that were already damaged to prevent any more casualties, as per ABC News.
Many of Seoul's subway services were back to normal operations, but dozens of roads were still closed due to safety concerns. The country's military was prepared to deploy troops to support recovery efforts if requested by cities or regional governments, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Moon Hong-Sik.
The heavy rainfall began on Monday morning and continued to intensify through the evening when people then waded through thigh-high waters in the streets of Gangnam. The area is one of the capital's most bustling business and leisure districts. Cars and buses could be seen stuck in mud-brown waters, and commuters were evacuated as water cascaded down the stairs of the Isu subway station.
According to CNN, South Korea's Interior and Safety Ministry said that the three casualties from the eight reported died after they were trapped in a flooded semi-basement. There were also nine reported injuries, said the ministry.
Highest Emergency Alert
After Seoul saw a total of 422 millimeters of rain, authorities were forced to raise the highest Level 3 emergency alert. The city recorded 141.5 millimeters of rain per hour, which is the highest rate that officials have observed since keeping records.
Photographs captured by residents from across the city showed severe flooding with vehicles pushed around. While floodwaters had largely receded by Tuesday morning, cars and buses blocked traffic after being left strewn across roads and sidewalks.
Among the pictures, one particular image sparked both worry and intrigue as it showed a man in a suit sitting on top of a submerged car. Electrical blackouts hit some parts of the city due to the heavy rain and flooded areas. Authorities told residents living in lower areas to evacuate their homes.
These types of intense precipitation events are becoming more common worldwide due to human-caused climate change. A warmer atmosphere is able to hold more moisture and produce heavier rainfall, the Washington Post reported.
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