Thousands evacuated and death toll rises to 26 in South Korea's longest monsoon season in seven years

Nearly 5000 people had been evacuated after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with at least 26 people dead in flooding and landslides.

A flooded street is seen at Han river park after heavy rains in Seoul

A flooded street is seen at Han river park after heavy rains in Seoul Source: Getty Images

At least 26 people have died after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with the country's longest monsoon in seven years causing more flooding, landslides and evacuations.

Nearly 5000 people had been evacuated as of Saturday, according to Ministry of the Interior and Safety data, as rains battered the southern part of the Korean peninsula.

Ten people are missing.
An aerial view shows a village area is flooded due to heavy rain in Gurye, South Korea
A village area are flooded due to heavy rain in Gurye, South Korea Source: YONHAP
About 100 metres of levee collapsed at the Seomjin River in the southern edge of the peninsula on Saturday and flooded the area, an official at the South Jeolla province said, with about 1900 people evacuated in the province including about 500 from around the river.

The country's forestry agency has raised landslide warnings to its highest level in every region except the holiday island of Jeju.

Five homes were buried in a landslide on Friday from a mountain behind a village in Gokseong, South Jeolla province, killing five people.

Three people have been rescued.
The city of Seoul warned people to stay away from basements, valleys and rivers as further torrential rains were expected on Saturday night.

South Korea's longest monsoon on record was 49 days in 2013. Current weather forecasts predict that this year's monsoon may last longer.

In neighbouring North Korea, state media Korean Central Broadcasting also warned of additional heavy rains in areas already hit by floods, according to Yonhap.
A general aerial view of a village that was devastated by a landslide the previous day,  in the southwestern county of Gokseong, South Korea
A general aerial view of a village that was devastated by a landslide the previous day, in the southwestern county of Gokseong, South Korea Source: YNA

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2 min read
Published 8 August 2020 9:28pm
Updated 8 August 2020 9:40pm
Source: AAP, SBS


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