Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads in S.Korea

Over three days of relentless downpours, 1,500 people across the nation were forced to evacuate as heavy rains wreaked havoc on homes, roads and infra...

Over three days of relentless downpours, 1,500 people across the nation were forced to evacuate as heavy rains wreaked havoc on homes, roads and infrastructure.

Heavy rain from Thursday afternoon to Saturday began from Jeju Island and along the southern coast, before spreading across the nation.

Along the southern and western coasts, heavy rain fell at a rate of about 100 millimeters per hour, while southern regions and the North and South Chungcheong provinces experienced 50-80 millimeters per hour. Coastal areas of the North and South Gyeongsang provinces and mountainous regions of Jeju Island recorded maximum rainfall exceeding 500 millimeters. The southern regions, Jeju Island, Chungcheong provinces and eastern Gangwon Province saw cumulative rainfall of around 200-300 millimeters, with many areas reaching extreme levels.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of Sunday morning 1,501 people from 1,014 households in seven cities and 46 regions had been evacuated. Of those evacuated, 682 people from 455 households were unable to return home and were staying at temporary shelters, with relatives or in community centers.

There were no casualties reported, but significant damage occurred nationwide. Due to the worsening weather, 77 passenger ships were stranded on 55 sea routes, and 16 flights were canceled as of Sunday morning. Access to 641 sections of 22 national parks, 39 underpasses, 3,061 riverside areas, and 38 roads was also blocked.