Heavy rainfall in a South Korean region results in the tragic loss of three lives, marking the region's wettest year in over a century.
## Heaviest Hourly Rainfall in Over a Century Hits South Korea, Causing Tragedy and Disruption
South Chuncheong province in South Korea experienced the heaviest hourly downpour on record, with Seosan recording an unprecedented 114.9 millimeters of rainfall in a single hour on Thursday, July 17. This extreme weather event, caused by warm and moist air flowing in along the edge of the North Pacific High, triggered strong atmospheric instability and resulted in significant impacts on the region.
The heavy rains led to at least three fatalities. Incidents involving submerged vehicles and flooding in residential areas resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including an elderly man who was swept away near a stream and another found inside a submerged vehicle. Another elderly man was reported missing and later found dead in a flooded basement apartment.
More than 1,000 people were forced to evacuate due to severe flooding, with markets, apartment complexes, and parked cars in Seosan being affected by the widespread flooding. The Ministry of Interior and Safety provided the information about the heavy rains and their causes to AFP, with more details expected to be available after 4pm local time. However, no further details were provided by the Ministry regarding the situation after 4pm.
The hourly rainfall rate of over 110 millimeters is considered a once-in-a-century occurrence, reflecting the extreme nature of the event. The heavy rains in the western Seosan area are part of the monsoon rains that South Korea typically experiences in July. By 10:00 local time on Thursday, Seosan had accumulated 419.5 millimeters of rain, with nearby areas like Hongseong and Dangjin also experiencing substantial rainfall.
The meteorological agency official stated that the heavy rains in South Chuncheong province were confirmed by official weather data, with the warm and moist air flowing in along the edge of the North Pacific High being the cause of the extreme weather conditions observed in parts of the province. This atmospheric phenomenon led to significant instability, resulting in the record-breaking rainfall.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. The South Korean government is urging citizens to stay informed and heed any evacuation orders or warnings issued by local authorities.
Weather forecasting models may have struggled to accurately predict the extreme downpour that occurred in South Korea, given the rare and unprecedented nature of the heavy rainfall. The meteorological agency could use this event to improve their weather-forecasting techniques for future monsoon seasons in South Korea.
