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18 dead, 9 missing following torrential rain; government announces recovery plans

2025/07/21 22:42

At least 18 people are dead and 9 missing after days of torrential rain triggered landslides and flash flooding across South Korea. Recovery operations are in full swing, as the government rolls out emergency measures to support survivors and restore damaged infrastructure. Our Kim Jung-sil has our top story. The devastating rainstorm that began last week has caused widespread destruction across the country. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 18 people have been confirmed dead, with 9 still missing. The worst-hit region was Sancheong in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, where 10 people died after a massive landslide. Other fatalities were reported across Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do provinces, with one dead in Gwangju. The search for survivors continues, but dangerous, unstable terrain is making recovery efforts difficult. More than 14,000 people have been forced to evacuate, seeking shelter across 15 provinces. Over 4,000 instances of property damage have been reported, with submerged roads, collapsed embankments, and flooded farmland, along with significant destruction to private property. "I've been running this business for 10 years. What is this? My fridge, everything, my house too." In response, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced Monday a comprehensive financial relief package for affected areas. Local governments are providing immediate financial support, mobilizing disaster relief funds for shelters, supplies, and emergency recovery operations. The government is also offering tax exemptions for vehicles, homes, and agricultural equipment that were destroyed, as well as delayed tax payments and other relief measures for residents burdened by the damage. Newly appointed Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yun Ho-jung, visited one of the hardest-hit areas on Sunday, assuring the public that restoring normalcy is now a top priority. "We will mobilize all available resources from local governments and relevant agencies to ensure that recovery efforts are swift and effective." While recovery efforts are underway, the full extent of the damage remains uncertain. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heat wave returns with showers across the country

2025/07/21 22:41

The heat wave warnings have been expanding and strengthening. Heat wave advisories are in place in most areas except Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, and the Gyeongsang-do provinces. Daytime temperatures will rise to around 33 degrees Celsius in most regions tomorrow. With high humidity, the temperatures will feel as high as 36 degrees in some places. There have been sudden showers due to severe atmospheric instability nationwide. The amount of rain expected in showers until tonight is around 5 to 60 millimeters. Especially in the south, there might be strong rain of around 30 to 50 millimeters per hour. Tomorrow morning will start warm at 23 to 26 degrees across the country. Daily highs will move up to 31 degrees in Seoul and Busan, 32 degrees in Jeju. Showers, along with the summer heat, will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

18 killed, 9 missing in heavy rains, landslides

2025/07/21 19:42

We start with the death toll from the torrential rain here in South Korea that triggered frightening flash floods and lethal landslides. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. 18 people have been killed and 9 others are missing after heavy rain across South Korea, beginning last week, and subsequent flooding and landslides. The latest figures were announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency on Monday, with the southern county of Sancheong seeing the largest number of victims with 10 dead and 4 missing. Firefighting officials say rescue operations are still underway there. Torrential downpours have slammed the country since Wednesday, with Sancheong receiving an accumulated 793-point-5 millimeters of rain as of 5 PM Sunday. The other deaths occurred in Osan and Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do Province, Seosan and Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and the southwestern city of Gwangju. Since last week, authorities have reported 1-thousand-999 cases of flooded roads, soil loss and destroyed public facilities, with 2-thousand-238 other cases of damage to private property. Over 14 thousand people have been taken to shelters across 15 major cities and provinces, while 62 flights were cancelled. In response to the nationwide damage,.. President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday, instructed the government to find ways to swiftly designate the areas that were hit hardest as special disaster zones. Areas designated as special disaster zones are entitled to government support for damage recovery and victim relief. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Showers and summer heat across the country

2025/07/21 19:42

The heat wave came back immediately after the heavy rain. From now on, you need to prepare for the steaming heat again. With heat wave warnings and advisories in effect across the country, scorching heat of around 33 degrees Celsius will continue during the day tomorrow. With high humidity, the temperatures will feel as high as nearly 36 degrees. As the atmosphere is unstable, showers have been falling across the country. There will be up to 80 millimeters of rain from showers in the Jeolla-do provinces and western parts of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and 5 to 60 millimeters in other areas by tonight. Tomorrow morning will start warm at 23 to 26 degrees all over the country. Daily highs will move up to 31 degrees in Seoul and Busan, 30 degrees in Chuncheon. There will be lots of showers along with the heat for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Mandarin oranges harvest in full swing from vinyl greenhouses on Jeju island

2025/07/21 19:40

Back on the local front. Jeju Island's greenhouse cultivation of citrus fruits including the mandarin is pledging another season of sweet-tasting oranges despite the sweltering heat. Cha Yun-kyung has details. The mandarin orange harvest is in full swing from vinyl greenhouses on Jeju Island. The oranges are yellow colored when daily temperature differences are large. That is why those from greenhouses mostly look green, especially in summer with lower temperature differences. Although the color is not a perfect yellow, the oranges' sugar content and quality are excellent. The abnormal weather the island has experienced this year has, however, delayed the harvesting season. Production is projected to be 26-thousand tons, which is 1-point-6 percent less than last year. However, the price is similar to last year, 25-thousand Korean won, around 18-point-4 U.S. dollars, for a 3 kilogram box. The farmers expect consumers to buy more of the produce. "Since we did our best to harvest the oranges, we hope that more consumers buy them." The sugar content of oranges from greenhouses this year is higher than usual at 10 to 12 Brix. Their high vitamin C content will help consumers overcome fatigue and maintain a healthy immune system. The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation stresses that it harvests fresh and high-quality oranges only. "We harvest fresh oranges only and ship them within two to three days, so our consumers should not worry about their quality at all." The NACF and farmers expect consumers will enjoy more oranges from Jeju Island this summer. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

S. Korea deploys 2,500 troops to help recovery in regions hit hard by rain

2025/07/21 19:33

The South Korean Army has deployed its ground forces and equipment to assist recovery efforts in rain-ravaged regions. More than a thousand troops and over 20 pieces of heavy equipment were mobilized in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province and Gyeongsangnam-do Province on this Monday. Starting last Thursday a total of 2-thousand-5-hundred soldiers have been deployed areas hit hard by the torrential rain. Their current work involves clearing debris from roads and homes and organizing essential supplies.

18 killed, 9 missing in heavy rains, landslides

2025/07/21 13:39

Over a dozen people have been killed and 9 others are missing following heavy rain and landslides across the country. President Lee Jae Myung has called on the government to find ways to swiftly designate areas hit hard as special disaster zones. Lee Seung-jae has more. 18 people have been killed and 9 others are missing after heavy rain across South Korea, beginning last week, and subsequent flooding and landslides. The latest figures were announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency on Monday, with the southern county of Sancheong seeing the largest number of victims with 10 dead and 4 missing. Firefighting officials say rescue operations are still underway there. Torrential downpours have slammed the country since Wednesday, with Sancheong receiving an accumulated 793-point-5 millimeters of rain as of 5 PM Sunday. The other deaths occurred in Osan and Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do Province, Seosan and Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and the southwestern city of Gwangju. Since last week, authorities have reported 1-thousand-999 cases of flooded roads, soil loss and destroyed public facilities, with 2-thousand-238 other cases of damage to private property. Over 14 thousand people have been taken to shelters across 15 major cities and provinces, while 62 flights were cancelled. In response to the nationwide damage,.. President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday, instructed the government to find ways to swiftly designate the areas that were hit hardest as special disaster zones. Areas designated as special disaster zones are entitled to government support for damage recovery and victim relief. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

High temperatures and localized showers expected

2025/07/21 13:38

We saw an incredible amount of rain nationwide last week. But with the rain wrapping up yesterday, it's all about getting prepared for the heat this week! Heatwave advisories are in place across some parts of the country, and we expect these advisories to expand even further. With plenty of moisture in the air, strong, sudden, heavy rain could fall at any time. Specifically, today, expect heavy rain of 30 to 50 millimeters per hour, especially in the southern regions. By afternoon, Seoul is expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius, Daejeon to 32 degrees, and Gwangju to 34 degrees. Feels like temperatures will be higher with the high humidity. We're looking at tropical nights as the heat builds up, and daytime highs will soar as high as 34 degrees by Thursday with a chance of passing rain. Stay hydrated and take care.

Tsunami threat is over after several large quakes off Russia's Pacific coast

2025/07/21 13:38

On Sunday, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck 144 kilometers east of Russia's Petro-PAV-lovsk-Kam-CHAT-sky city. The tremors triggered tsunami alerts, which were later lifted. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and U.S. National Tsunami Center issued coastal warnings for Kamchatka, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. Roughly two hours later, all alerts were officially downgraded and lifted. There have been no reports of casualties or structural damage, and seismic activity has subsided. Authorities warn that the Kamchatka Peninsula remains a high-risk seismic zone.

Vietnam's Halong Bay boat capsize death toll rises to 38

2025/07/21 13:37

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Starting in Vietnam a tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay on Saturday leading to at least 38 deaths. The Wonder Sea, carrying 53 people, mostly Vietnamese families from Hanoi, capsized around 2 PM local time after encountering sudden fierce winds, heavy rain, and lightning. Ten people were rescued, including a 14-year-old boy who was pulled out from the hull four hours after the capsize. Five people are still missing and search and rescue efforts are still underway. The storm came on so quickly that passengers had little time to react, even though life vests were available.

Heavy rain in S. Korea continues with eyes on weekend weather

2025/07/18 22:45

Since Wednesday, South Korea has been facing the strongest recorded torrential rain in around 200 years. Heavy rain advisories have been lifted in some northern areas, but southern parts of the country remain on high alert. Park Jun-han starts us off. Torrential rain across South Korea this week has so far caused the deaths of four people, with two still listed as missing as of this morning. During the period, over 5-thousand-6-hundred people have been evacuated from their places of residence. The sudden torrential rain caused widespread flooding in many areas, including residential and commercial districts, as well as agricultural regions. Around 13-thousand hectares of farmland have been affected by flooding — equivalent to 18-thousand soccer fields. As of Friday, there were around 900 damage reports in Gwangju, a city that has been one of the most severely hit by the downpours. The government raised its severe weather alert level to Stage 3 on Thursday, its highest response level. Large parts of South Korea have experienced serious flooding that has interfered with response services, as well as daily activities. Roads, buildings and farmland have been inundated, railroads blocked, and rivers and streams have overflowed their banks. Many schools were forced to cancel classes or adjust operating hours. The Korea Meteorological Administration lifted heavy rain warnings and advisories for Seoul, northern Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces as of 4 PM Friday. But despite this, southern regions of the country remain vulnerable, having already suffered significant damage and still facing the risk of further flooding. The heavy rainfall will continue until this weekend, especially in Chungcheongnam-do Province and southern regions. "Heavy rain will continue through tomorrow, with up to 50 millimeters per hour expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Some areas could see up to 200 millimeters, with southern regions possibly experiencing up to 300 millimeters of rainfall." The government said it will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and take appropriate action where necessary. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain until tomorrow with strong winds

2025/07/18 22:44

Torrential rain has been pouring down for three straight days. As much as 300 millimeters of rain is expected in Jeollanam-do Province and Gyeongsangnam-do Province, up to 200 millimeters in the Chungcheong-do provinces and southern Gyeonggi-do Province, and 30 to 100 millimeters in Seoul by tomorrow. In addition, there will be strong winds across the country. Gusty winds of around 20 meters per second in the mountainous areas are expected. Also, landslide warnings have been issued in the Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Provinces. You should avoid riversides and underground roads. Morning temperatures will start off at around 23 to 26 degrees Celsius across the country. Highs will move up to 29 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon and Busan, 31 degrees in Daegu. Rain in the Seoul metropolitan area and western parts of Gangwon-do Province will mostly stop by Sunday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Severe flooding in South Korea kills at least 4, causes widespread damage

2025/07/18 19:41

We start on the national front as flash floods have led to losses of lives emergency evacuations and property damage. Kim Jung-sil has our top story. Severe flooding continues across South Korea, with heavy rain that began Wednesday causing widespread damage and evacuations. As of 11 AM Friday, four people have died — three in Chungcheongnam-do and one in Gyeonggi-do provinces — while two others remain missing in Gwangju, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Over 5,600 people have been evacuated, with more than 3,500 still unable to return home. Roads, bridges and embankments have collapsed, with nearly 500 public facilities and over 400 private buildings damaged. Nearly 250 schools nationwide have been impacted by the rain, with some closed, others shifting to online classes, and many implementing shorter hours. In Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province, the flooding has been particularly devastating. The rain has submerged neighborhoods, blocked roads, and caused widespread damage. Floodwaters have made it difficult for drivers, as the wheels of their vehicles are nearly submerged, making it dangerous to navigate flooded roads. Fallen trees are also obstructing highways, with emergency crews working to clear debris. "Heavy rain will continue through tomorrow, with up to 50 millimeters per hour expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Some areas could see up to 200 millimeters, with southern regions possibly experiencing up to 300 millimeters." Woo also urged foreigners in South Korea to stay informed about the weather and follow evacuation instructions sent through emergency text alerts. As the rain continues, authorities are on high alert, bracing for further damage, with more rainfall expected through the weekend. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain until tomorrow with strong winds, landslide warnings

2025/07/18 19:40

Rain is pouring down across the country today. By tomorrow, there will be as much as 300 millimeters more of heavy rain in Jeollanam-do Province and Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and more than 200 millimeters in the Chungcheong-do provinces and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, as well as up to 100 millimeters of rain in Seoul. There will be strong winds all over the country by tomorrow. In particular, there will be gusty winds of around 20 meters per second in the mountainous areas. Currently, landslide warnings have been issued in the Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Provinces. Please take extra precautions. Morning temperatures will start off at around 23 to 26 degrees Celsius across the country. Highs will move up to 29 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon and Busan, Jeju at 32 degrees. Rain in the Seoul metropolitan area and western parts of Gangwon-do Province will continue until Sunday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

President Lee holds emergency meeting in response to heavy rains

2025/07/18 19:34

And in light of that weather forecast President Lee Jae Myung canceled a scheduled town hall and convened instead an emergency response meeting. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. Disasters may be inevitable, but their damage, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says, can be reduced with thorough preparation. That was the key message from the President on Friday as he convened an emergency meeting in response to the heavy rains. "The state's top duty is to protect the lives and safety of its people. We must not hesitate to deploy every necessary resource, even if it feels excessive, to prevent accidents and minimize damage." With downpours battering the country for days and already claiming several lives, President Lee postponed a scheduled town hall in the southeastern city of Busan and instead visited the National Disaster and Safety Status Control Center in Seoul. Emphasizing preemptive action, he instructed the Korea Meteorological Administration to issue timely alerts tailored to each region. "We need thorough preemptive measures in vulnerable areas and for at-risk residents, including those living in semi-basement homes, those living alone, and regions prone to flooding, landslides, collapses, or sinkholes." The President also urged local governments to stay in full emergency mode and carry out post-disaster support and recovery efforts without delay. He then received updates on damage assessments and response measures from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and local authorities. "President Lee spoke to the mayor of Osan in detail about why the road wasn't fully closed off despite prior warnings from residents before the retaining wall collapsed." The collapse on Wednesday killed a man trapped in his vehicle. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Severe flooding in South Korea kills at least 4, causes widespread damage

2025/07/18 11:40

Severe flooding continues across South Korea, with heavy rain causing widespread damage and evacuations. Four people have died, with one still missing. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. Severe flooding is making it difficult for drivers, with front wheels nearly submerged as they navigate flooded roads. One of the hardest-hit regions is Chungcheongnam-do Province. In Dangjin, floodwaters have submerged neighborhoods, blocking roads and causing widespread damage. Fallen trees are obstructing highways, and emergency crews are working to clear the debris. "Heavy rain will continue through tomorrow, with up to 50 millimeters per hour expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Some areas could see up to 200 millimeters, with southern regions possibly experiencing up to 300 millimeters." As of Friday morning, four deaths have been confirmed , three in Chungcheongnam-do Province and one in Gyeonggi-do Province. One person is still missing. Over 5,000 people have been evacuated across the country, with more than 4,500 still unable to return home. Roads, bridges, and embankments have collapsed, and more than 300 public facilities and homes have been affected. "We urge foreigners in South Korea to stay in touch with their neighbors and stay informed about the weather. In the case of severe conditions, please follow the evacuation messages sent through the Korea Meteorological Administration's emergency rainfall alerts." As the rain continues, authorities are on high alert, bracing for further damage, with more rainfall expected through the weekend. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain through the weekend

2025/07/18 11:39

We definitely need to prepare for more heavy rain today. The southern regions are forecast to get the brunt of it. A strong band of rain clouds is moving in from the West Coast, bringing torrential rain mainly to Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. And these areas could see up to 300 millimeters of downpours through Saturday, Chungcheong-do provinces could get up to 200 millimeters, and the capital area could receive up to 100 millimeters of intense rainfall. A heavy rain advisory continues for western areas. In these heavy rain advisory areas, we're expecting very strong rain, around 50 millimeters per hour, to concentrate along with strong winds. Extreme rainfall has a higher probability of triggering a landslide. There are many areas where the ground has become very saturated, with landslide alerts issued across the country. Meanwhile, afternoon highs will go up higher today at 29 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 30. Please be careful in order to avoid any damage from the wind and rain.

Pakistan's monsoon death toll climbs to 159 after 63 die in one day

2025/07/18 11:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Pakistan's Punjab province has been hit by devastating monsoon rains that have killed more than 60 people within 24 hours. According to officials on Thursday, heavy monsoon downpours across Punjab province triggered flash floods, landslides, and building collapses, claiming 63 lives and injuring nearly 300 since Wednesday morning. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, since late June, the death toll from rain-related incidents across the country has reached 159, with Punjab accounting for most of the fatalities. More than one thousand homes have also been damaged. Punjab's Chief Minister declared an emergency in several areas and urged residents to follow safety guidelines. A high flood alert remains in effect along rivers such as the Jhelum river, as more heavy rain is forecast for the weekend.

Tips during monsoon season: what to do when your car gets submerged in water?

2025/07/18 11:35

The recent heavy rainfall and rapid flooding pose a heightened risk of unexpected accidents. Here's our Kim Bo-kyoung with important safety guidelines. With the monsoon season back, there have already been a series of vehicle flooding accidents. When one is trapped inside a submerged car, what would be the best survival tips? Trying to open the door right away might be hard due to the pressure difference. In this case, wait for the water inside the car to rise to the same level as the outside, as once the pressure equalizes, the door gets much easier to open. If the situation is too urgent, break the window using either an emergency hammer or the headrest of the seat. It is important to strike the upper part and the edges of the window, so as not to get hurt by the broken glass. But what's best if water starts filling up inside? "The most important thing is to abandon the car and escape quickly if water starts rising inside the vehicle." Heavy rain is often accompanied by lightning strikes, which can lead to serious injuries or even death. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, one needs to seek shelter immediately, as it indicates the lightning struck nearby. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going back outside. One needs to avoid holding long, metal objects that can attract lightning, and should not stay under trees or outdoor pavilions as they cannot block lightning. It is safer to stay inside a building or a car. High humidity during rainy season can significantly increase the risk of electrical leakage accidents. Thus, the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation recommends testing home circuit breakers in advance to ensure they function properly. Press the test button next to the breaker, and if the electricity cuts off when the button is pressed, it means it is working well. Avoiding electrical facilities in flooded areas is a must, and appliances should only be reconnected when they are completely dry. Lastly, unplugging devices at home could also be a way to prevent electrical hazards. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Torrential rains in S. Korea triggers nationwide emergency

2025/07/17 22:44

We start with updates on the torrential downpours that are sweeping across the country. For more, we connect with our Moon Hye-ryeon live on the line. Hye-ryeon, give us the latest updates on the latest casualties and damage caused by the heavy rain. Relentless downpours are wreaking havoc across South Korea, leading to multiple fatalities, widespread evacuations, and growing concern in flood-prone regions. At least four people have died. In Osan , a wall collapsed onto a passing car, killing the driver, and in Seosan and Dangjin , three people died as roads and homes were flooded. A number of injuries, too, have been recorded as a result of landslides in Chungcheongnam-do Province. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported that over a thousand people have been evacuated from their homes in low-lying and landslide-prone areas as of this morning, but local governments in the central and southern regions of the country have been issuing evacuation advisories throughout the day. Overflowing rivers, for example, have led to residents in Gwangju evacuating their homes this evening. The rain has also led to major disruptions in travel, including train and flight services. Korea Railroad suspended all train operations between Gwangju Songjeong Station and Mokpo Station on the Honam Line this afternoon, as well as regular train services across other major lines throughout the day. Several flights have been cancelled at Jeju Airport, and several highways have been closed across the country. Authorities are urging drivers to use alternate routes and check traffic updates in advance. And what have been the responses from the government and the weather agency in light of this situation? As of 7:30 PM, the Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings to seven provinces and metropolitan cities, and advisories to 14. And this is why the CDSCH saw fit to issue a Level 3 emergency response earlier this evening for the first time in nearly two years. This is the highest level of disaster response in South Korea's national emergency system for heavy rain, and means that all available manpower and equipment are mobilized as a result. Interior Ministry officials have said the top priority is minimizing casualties, as up to 300 millimeters more could fall in the coming days. Local authorities have been advised to issue evacuation orders where needed, with the central government promising full support for resident protection and shelter costs. The Education Ministry has also activated its emergency task force in order to monitor the situation, with 667 schools nationwide choosing to close, shorten school hours, or transition to remote learning for the day. Right, you said that we could be looking at 300 millimeters of more rain — could you expand on that and give us the outlook for tonight and in the coming days? Heavy rainfall is expected tonight in the central and southern regions, with around 50 to 80 millimeters of rain expected to fall per hour. This includes regions such as the Chungcheong-do provinces, which were hit particularly hard last night, as well as the Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces, which have been seeing heavy rain this evening. For context, 50 to 80 millimeters of rain per hour is considered extremely dangerous, especially if it lasts more than a short while — think of a torrential downpour that makes it nearly impossible to walk or drive through the streets. As of now, it looks as though these areas can expect downpours at varying intensities until Saturday. The capital region is also expected to see some heavy rain until tomorrow morning, before it eases up into something lighter starting tomorrow evening. That's all I have on the rain for now, back to you, Dami. Thank you for your report, Hye-ryeon. Stay safe.