Jungdaebon "33 Dead, 10 Missing Nationwide Due to Heavy Rainfall"

7 Dead Confirmed at Osong Underpass Flooding Site

As heavy rain continues nationwide, the number of casualties is increasing.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced that as of 11 a.m. on the 16th, from the 9th, the total number of deaths and missing persons due to heavy rain has reached 43. There are 33 confirmed deaths: 17 in Gyeongbuk, 11 in Chungbuk, 4 in Chungnam, and 1 in Sejong. The missing include 9 in Gyeongbuk and 1 in Busan, totaling 10. There are 22 injured.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During the search for the vehicle flooding accident at the Gungpyeong Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, the death toll increased by 7 compared to the 6 a.m. count. So far, 7 deaths have been confirmed at this underpass.

Currently, more than 10 vehicles are reported to be submerged in the underpass, raising the possibility of additional casualties.

Nationwide, 7,866 residents have evacuated in advance due to heavy rain across 90 cities, counties, and districts in 13 provinces. Among them, 6,182 have not yet returned home. Damage to public facilities has been recorded at 149 cases, and damage to private facilities at 124 cases.

This heavy rain, causing massive human and property damage, is expected to continue until the 18th. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted during the briefing on the 16th that 100 to 250 mm of rain will fall by the 18th in the Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang regions, and mountainous areas of Jeju Island. In the Chungcheong region, Jeonbuk, and northern inland Gyeongbuk, rainfall could exceed 300 mm in some areas.

Relatively lighter rain of 20 to 60 mm is forecasted for Gangwon Province, excluding Seoul, Incheon, northern and southern inland and mountainous areas of Gyeonggi Province. Rainfall of 30 to 120 mm is expected in southern Gyeonggi, southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, Jeju Island excluding mountainous areas, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo.

The stationary front, currently moving northward slowly, is expected to linger over one area for a long time, bringing very heavy rain, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.