Torrential rains kill one in South Korea while Philippine capital battles major flooding

Southern South Korea is grappling with the destructive force of torrential downpours, which have resulted in at least one fatality and four injuries. The Gyeongsang province, particularly the city of Geoje, has borne the brunt of the deluge, receiving an overwhelming 800 mm of rain over a two-day period. This intense rainfall triggered a significant landslide in Geoje.

Emergency services responded swiftly, rescuing three residents from an apartment building impacted by the landslide. Tragically, one of the rescued individuals was found in cardiac arrest and later pronounced dead at a hospital. In addition to the fatality, two people sustained injuries in Geoje, with two more injured in neighboring cities. The heavy rains have disrupted daily life across the province, forcing approximately 390 people to evacuate their homes and causing widespread power outages affecting about 3,580 households. Twelve schools and kindergartens have also reported flooding, and emergency services have been inundated with calls for assistance related to rain-induced damage and accidents.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has directed police, firefighters, and other authorities to prioritize rescue efforts for stranded residents and those at risk. The scale of the rainfall is evident in the figures: Geoje recorded 805.7 mm, and Tongyeong received 671.9 mm between Saturday and Monday morning. Other areas in the province experienced rainfall ranging from 240 mm to 340 mm.

In parallel, the Philippine capital, Manila, is facing its own crisis as heavy monsoon rains have caused significant flooding across key streets, leading to major traffic disruptions. In response, the government has suspended work for its employees and advised schools to transition to online learning. This follows weeks of intermittent monsoon rains and a recent storm that affected the northern island of Luzon, resulting in at least 23 deaths, primarily from landslides and floods, and impacting approximately 5 million people. As of Monday, nearly 25,000 individuals remained in government emergency shelters in several northern provinces.