The death toll in South Korea continues to rise following the country’s worst flooding in a decade. The heavy rains have claimed the lives of 40 people, and nine individuals are still reported missing. Additionally, numerous people have been injured due to landslides and other consequences of the flooding, according to the South Korean Interior Ministry.
A tragic incident occurred at a highway underpass near the central city of Cheongju, where 13 bodies were discovered. The underpass was submerged after flash flooding caused the collapse of the Miho River levee. Among the victims recovered from the underpass was a bus driver and five of his passengers. The search for additional casualties continues as rescuers drain the tunnel and investigate approximately 17 submerged vehicles.
President Yoon Suk-yeol, upon returning to Seoul from a surprise visit to Ukraine, acknowledged that his government’s failure to adhere to disaster-response policies in vulnerable areas compounded the severity of the disaster. It is believed that proper evacuation and safety measures were not implemented, making this flooding a “man-made disaster,” as stated by opposition lawmakers.
The flooding led to the evacuation of thousands of residents, including 6,400 people from Goesan County, predominantly rural areas. Villages located in low-lying regions were submerged as the water overflowed from a dam, trapping those who chose not to evacuate in their homes. Many roads and bridges were also rendered impassable, preventing the return of more than 4,300 people to their residences.
In the past week, parts of South Korea have witnessed over 600 millimeters (24 inches) of rainfall. The hardest-hit areas are expected to experience further heavy downpours, with rates of up to 40 millimeters per hour. These incessant rains have contributed to the severity of the disaster.
The recent flooding ranks as one of South Korea’s most devastating natural disasters since July 2011, when heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides that caused the death of at least 49 people.
Authorities are now investigating why the underpass was not closed to traffic despite known flood risks and prior warnings of the levee collapse. The police probe aims to determine the factors that led to the failure to take appropriate preventive measures.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding, it is evident that there is an urgent need for better disaster preparedness and swift implementation of safety measures to protect vulnerable communities from the devastation caused by natural disasters.
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