South Korea rains cause floods, landslides, 18 people die

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In late July 2025, South Korea faced one of its worst weather disasters in recent years. Torrential rains fell over many parts of the country, with the worst impact seen in Gapyeong, a small area about 60 kilometers northeast of the capital city, Seoul. The non-stop downpour caused serious flooding and landslides, leading to the deaths of at least 18 people, with nine still missing as of the last update.

The Storm Hits Hard
The rainfall began heavily on Sunday and lasted through the early hours of Monday. In Gapyeong alone, over 173 millimeters (nearly 7 inches) of rain fell in just 17 hours. This was more rain than the town had ever recorded in a single day, even beating the previous record of 156.3 millimeters set in 1998.

As a result, water rushed down hillsides, bringing mud and rocks with it. Landslides crushed homes, washed away vehicles, and tore up roads. Some people were caught in their homes or cars, unable to escape the rising water and falling earth. Two people died in Gapyeong itself, and four were reported missing from the same area.

A Heartbreaking Story
One of the most painful stories came from a local restaurant owner named Ahn Gyeong-bun. Her restaurant, located near a river, was destroyed in the flooding. She shared how the ground suddenly gave way beneath her and water quickly reached up to her neck. She held onto a metal pipe to survive. When the water finally receded, she saw her restaurant completely gone. In tears, she said, “What am I supposed to do now?”

Damage Everywhere
The damage was not limited to just homes and shops. South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior shared that more than 2,000 public buildings were affected. These included community centers, parks, and public roads. In addition, over 2,200 private properties like homes, farms, and small businesses were also badly damaged.

More than 13,000 people across the country had to leave their homes. Some were forced out by rising waters, others by collapsing buildings. These people were moved to temporary shelters where they are now receiving food, water, and medical care.

Brave Rescue Operations
Even in the middle of this crisis, emergency teams acted quickly and bravely. Rescue workers were sent to the most damaged areas to search for people who were trapped. Some used helicopters to reach isolated places. In other cases, rescuers had to cross rivers using zip lines to bring people to safety. Their fast action likely saved many lives, but sadly, nine people are still unaccounted for.

Government’s Quick Response
President Lee Jae-myung, who became president only a few weeks ago in June, quickly visited the affected regions. He asked local officials to act fast and to treat these areas as “special disaster zones.” This label will help communities get quicker access to government aid, money, and repair workers.

President Lee also asked that rescue and repair teams stay in place to help until life returns to normal. His office said that the president wants to improve how the country responds to disasters, especially with heavy rain now becoming more frequent.

Warning from Officials
Kang Yu-jung, the spokesperson for the President, explained that these kinds of weather events are happening more often and may get worse. She said that local governments must prepare better for disasters, based on the specific risks in their regions. She also warned that government leaders who fail to act during emergencies could be punished.

What Comes Next?
Even though the rain has stopped, the danger is not over. South Korea’s weather agency warned that a heatwave would follow the storms. This hot weather can make already damaged roads, buildings, and bridges even more dangerous by weakening the structures further.

Repair teams have now started fixing broken roads and cleaning up homes. Engineers are checking damaged buildings to make sure they are safe to return to. The government is also planning to review all emergency systems and may introduce new rules to deal with flash floods more effectively in the future.

The Human Side of the Tragedy
This disaster was not just about numbers. It deeply affected people, families, and communities. Survivors like Ahn Gyeong-bun are left wondering how to rebuild their lives. Her restaurant was her source of income for ten years. Now, everything is gone.

Across Gapyeong and other towns, people are working together to clean up and help each other. Volunteers are giving out food, helping to remove mud from homes, and trying to bring comfort to families in shock.

A Pattern of Storms
This is not the first time South Korea has been hit by such powerful storms. In both 2022 and 2023, the country saw deadly rainstorms that caused serious flooding and landslides. Experts believe these events are getting worse because of climate change. As temperatures rise, storms grow more powerful and release more rain in short periods, leading to disasters like this one.

Important Takeaways
This tragic event is a strong reminder of how nature can change lives in just a few hours. It shows how important it is for countries to be ready for disasters—not just with emergency workers, but also with strong planning, good roads, and safe buildings. Communities must also know what to do in an emergency.

The government has promised to do better. They are now reviewing what went wrong, and how they can make sure that the next storm causes less damage and fewer deaths.

Topic    Details

• Date & Place    Late July 2025, Gapyeong and other regions
• Rainfall    173 mm in 17 hours, record-breaking
• Casualties    At least 18 dead, 9 missing
• Damage    2,000+ public buildings, 2,200+ private properties
• Evacuations    Over 13,000 people displaced
• Rescue    Helicopters, zip lines, and fast team response
• Government    Declared special disaster zones
• Weather Warning    Heatwave following storms
• Human Impact    Survivors in distress, rebuilding with community help
• Climate Concern    Frequent heavy rains linked to climate change