Heavy Rain Paralyses South Korean Capital

Torrential rain has battered South Korea’s capital region for a second consecutive day, leaving at least one person dead, flooding hundreds of homes and roads, and forcing more than a thousand residents to evacuate.

Between 250 and 300 millimeters of rain fell on parts of Seoul and nearby cities, including Paju, Incheon, and Gimpo, by Thursday morning. Streets in several districts turned into muddy rivers, stranding vehicles and prompting residents to rush to save belongings from flood-damaged homes.

Authorities issued warnings for floods and landslides in areas close to rivers, streams, and hillsides. Emergency workers have rescued at least 145 people and responded to hundreds of incidents involving blocked roads and other storm-related disruptions.

The severe downpour comes amid growing concerns over extreme weather patterns in the Korean Peninsula, with experts warning that climate change is intensifying rainfall events, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides in densely populated urban areas.