South Korea floods: 14 dead, more missing amid torrential rains
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At least 14 dead, with more missing, as floods and landslides sweep South Korea amid warnings of worsening climate-driven extremes.
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A rescuer stands on a mud-covered road after a landslide hit a village in southern Sancheong county in South Korea, on July 19, 2025. (AFP)
At least 14 people have died and several others remain missing as torrential rains triggered floods and landslides across South Korea, disaster authorities reported on Sunday. The extreme weather, which began midweek, has battered southern and central regions before spreading to the north.
According to government data, the downpours have continued for five consecutive days, submerging roads, damaging homes, and sweeping away vehicles.
Torrential rains in South Korea, the heaviest in 120 years, have left at least four people dead and one missing. Authorities have evacuated thousands from flood-affected areas as the severe weather continues. pic.twitter.com/UR1EmyxXEk
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 18, 2025
Early on Sunday, nearly 170mm of rain fell on Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province, about 70 kilometers east of Seoul. A woman in her 70s was killed when a landslide collapsed her home, local media reported.
Authorities say at least eight people remain missing across the country as of 6 am, Sunday.
🚨 Severe Flooding in South Korea (Gwangju & South Chungcheong):
— Eyes on the Globe (@eyes_globe) July 18, 2025
Over 400 mm of rainfall, with more expected tonight.
2 dead, over 1,000 evacuated
Landslide alert raised to highest level
403 schools closed, 166 damaged
87 roads & 38 buildings flooded#SouthKorea #Rain pic.twitter.com/MWjD35yNJC
The hardest-hit region is Sancheong in the south, which recorded nearly 800mm of rainfall since Wednesday. While July is typically monsoon season in South Korea, the intensity of this week’s rainfall has broken records in some areas.
South Korea’s weather agency said the rains are expected to end Sunday, but they will be followed by a heatwave in the days ahead.
Experts warn that climate change is contributing to the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. In 2022, South Korea experienced record-breaking floods that claimed at least 11 lives. Officials now fear that this year’s floods may bring a new wave of disruption and damage.
