Deadly Floods in South Korea: 14 Dead, Thousands Displaced in Worsening Rain Crisis
Heavy rains in South Korea have killed 14 people and left 12 missing, as thousands evacuate amid landslides and widespread infrastructure damage.
Emergency crews conduct rescue efforts in flood-hit areas of Sancheong, South Korea, following days of heavy rain. Photo: @newbusinessage
July 20, 2025 Hour: 6:41 am
Fourteen people have died and 12 remain missing following days of torrential rain across South Korea, as widespread flooding and landslides force nearly 13,000 residents to evacuate.
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Severe monsoon rains have battered South Korea since Wednesday, triggering landslides, flooding, and large-scale infrastructure damage across multiple provinces. Official data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency confirms at least 14 fatalities and 12 missing persons as of Sunday.
The southern county of Sancheong has reported the highest toll, with six deaths and seven of the missing. Search and rescue operations remain active in the area, and officials have indicated that the number of casualties could rise. Emergency teams have already rescued 58 people in Sancheong alone.
Additional deaths were recorded in Osan, located in Gyeonggi Province, as well as in the South Chungcheong cities of Seosan and Dangjin. Two people have also been reported missing in the southwestern city of Gwangju.
Rainfall in affected regions has reached exceptional levels. Sancheong received 793.5 millimeters (31.2 inches) of rain, while neighboring Hapcheon and Hadong recorded 699 mm and 621.5 mm, respectively.
Authorities have responded to 1,920 cases of damage to public infrastructure, including washed-out roads and compromised drainage systems. Another 2,234 reports of damage to private property highlight the impact on homes, local businesses, and farmland.
As of Sunday, 12,921 people have been relocated to temporary shelters across 14 major cities and provinces. The evacuations reflect growing concern over ongoing rain forecasts and the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather patterns.
Similar events have disrupted communities across Asia this monsoon season, underscoring the wider regional challenges linked to intensified climate variability.
South Korean authorities remain on high alert, with emergency services continuing search and recovery operations under difficult conditions. As rains are expected to persist, disaster response efforts are being reinforced to reduce risks and prevent further loss of life.
Author: MK
Source: Press TV - AA