Extreme Rainfall of More Than 300 Millimeters Hits Honam, Leaving One Dead and Two Missing

More than 300 millimeters of rain fell in parts of South Korea’s Honam region, leaving one person dead and two missing as roads, homes and farmland flooded across the southwest and central regions.

In Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, a 73-year-old farmer disappeared after leaving to manage water channels in a rice field. In nearby Gochang, a 67-year-old man went missing after visiting a blueberry farm submerged by a swollen river. Firefighters halted underwater searches late in the afternoon because conditions had become too difficult, with operations due to resume on Sept. 1.

A man in his 70s died in Daegu after falling into the Sincheon, an urban stream. Police believe he may have been swept away by rising water while crossing a stepping-stone bridge.

The heaviest rainfall since Aug. 28 was recorded in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, at 579.5 millimeters. Gunsan recorded 332.9 millimeters, while Seocheon, Boseong and Buyeo recorded 288.5, 264.6 and 263.5 millimeters respectively. Yeonggwang also received the highest one-day total, 344 millimeters.

By 5 p.m., authorities had counted 195 road disruptions, 183 cases involving landslides or falling rocks, 57 drainage problems and 39 flooded homes. Greenhouses and farmland also suffered damage. The weather agency said a stationary front formed when cold air from the north collided with hot, humid air from the south, producing rain similar to the monsoon season. The government raised its heavy-rain alert from “interest” to “caution” on Aug. 30 and activated the first level of its central disaster response headquarters.