Seoul and nearby regions faced devastating flooding as the heaviest rainfall in eight decades swept through the area, claiming at least seven lives and leaving six people unaccounted for. Local authorities reported the tragedy on Tuesday, detailing how the downpour overwhelmed homes, streets, and critical infrastructure. The disaster disrupted daily life across the capital, with emergency crews racing to perform swift rescues while residents boarded up damaged properties and waited for relief teams to reach their neighborhoods.
Across the capital and its surroundings, portions of Seoul, the port city of Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province endured extended periods of extreme rain, with some areas recording more than 100 millimeters of precipitation for several consecutive hours early Tuesday. In the Dongjak district, rainfall surged to over 140 millimeters within a single hour, marking the most intense 60-minute downpour since records began in 1942. Meteorologists noted that the intensity and rapid accumulations overwhelmed drainage systems, intensified surface flooding, and forced authorities to issue warnings urging residents to avoid nonessential travel and heed safety advisories. The floods disrupted roadways and disrupted rail and subway operations, compounding the stress on families trying to secure shelter and essential supplies in the midst of the emergency.
Officials from the weather agency described the event as a severe weather outbreak that saturated the region and produced dangerous conditions. As the rains persisted, many families found their homes inundated, while vehicles became stuck in flooded streets and subway stations experienced disruptions or closures. The tally of fatalities stood at seven, with six others reported missing, and additional casualties were feared in affected areas. Local emergency services emphasized the need for continued persistence in search-and-rescue efforts, the importance of verifying safety routes, and the necessity of sheltering in place or moving to higher ground when advised. Residents were urged to monitor official updates, prepare emergency kits, and cooperate with responders as authorities worked to stabilize the situation and begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of this record rainfall event.