At Least 14 Dead, 12 Missing as Torrential Rains Batter South Korea for Fifth Straight Day

Seoul, South Korea – July 20, 2025 — After five days of relentless rainfall, **South Korea** is reeling from deadly **monsoon flooding**, with at least 14 people confirmed dead and 12 still missing as of Sunday. The country has seen widespread damage from landslides, home collapses, and flash floods, forcing thousands to flee and disrupting transport across multiple provinces.

📍 Sancheong Suffers the Worst

The **southern town of Sancheong** has borne the brunt of the devastation, reporting 8 deaths and 6 missing persons. Other fatalities and disappearances have occurred in Gapyeong, Osan, Seosan, and Gwangju, according to emergency authorities.

🚨 Mass Evacuations and Infrastructure Disruption

More than 13,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes across 14 cities and provinces. While most have since returned, approximately 4,000 people remain in emergency shelters as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.

The downpours caused major transit disruptions, with rail services suspended on several lines and roads closed due to flooding or debris. Emergency crews are working round the clock to clear landslides and assess structural damage.

🌧️ Record Rainfall and Climate Concerns

While July monsoons are typical in South Korea, this year’s intensity and duration have been unprecedented. Some regions experienced record-breaking hourly rainfall, overwhelming infrastructure and emergency response systems.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) stated that the monsoon season appears to have ended in the central region, with the heavy rain now easing. However, they have warned that a heatwave is expected to follow, posing additional health and safety risks.

“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like this,” noted a KMA spokesperson. Meteorologists and climate scientists are urging increased investment in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

🧭 What’s Next?

• ⚠️ Weather warnings remain in place for southern regions
• 🚑 Emergency services continue search and rescue efforts
• 🏚️ Government assessing long-term recovery funding and housing support
• 🔥 Heatwave expected to hit within days as rainfall tapers off

🌍 Quick Facts

• Deaths: 14 confirmed
• Missing: 12 individuals
• Evacuated: Over 13,000 people
• Still in shelters: Nearly 4,000
• Worst-hit area: Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province