"South Korea flooding fatalities hit 14 as search for missing continues"

At least two people have died and several others are missing as heavy rains continue to cause flooding and landslides in South Korea, bringing the total number of fatalities from the recent downpours to 14.

Disaster officials reported that nearly 170mm of rain fell early Sunday in Gapyeong county, Gyeonggi province, about 70km east of Seoul, where mudslides destroyed homes and floodwaters carried away vehicles.

Official figures confirm that 14 people have lost their lives since the heavy rains began five days ago. Researchers note that climate change has increased the likelihood and severity of extreme weather globally.

The intense rainfall, which started on Wednesday, has left eight people unaccounted for, primarily in southern and central regions, according to government reports.

While the worst of the rain initially struck southern areas, it moved northward by Sunday morning.

A woman in her 70s died when a landslide buried her home in Gapyeong in the early hours of Sunday, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

The majority of the deaths occurred in Sancheong county, where nearly 800mm of rain has fallen since Wednesday.

South Korea typically expects monsoon rains in July and is accustomed to managing them, but this week’s rainfall has been unusually severe in the southern regions, with some areas experiencing record-breaking hourly precipitation. Meteorologists predict the rain will stop Sunday, followed by a rise in temperatures.

In 2022, the country faced unprecedented rains and floods that claimed at least 11 lives.