One person died and several others are assumed injured after a landslide caused by rain that hit the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday.
Scores of buildings were inundated by up to 170 millimeters of rain while traffic accidents have been reported in the center of the country.
According to Seoul City authorities, a landslide took place near the Choansan Station construction site in Nowon-gu, northern Seoul, at around 1 p.m., burying four passing vehicles. One person was reported to have died and the police expect more casualties.
Mud blankets a subway rail in Seoul on Wednesday after a landslide caused by heavy rain. One person died and two others were injured in the accident. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald)
The city government also closed all traffic access to Jamsu Bridge in southern Seoul as the water level of the Han River topped 6.46 meters. The city decided to discharge 6,600 tons of water per second from dams along the river.
Promenades along Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul were all blocked and authorities are planning to shut down more roads if necessary.
Areas outside of Seoul were also damaged by the downpour.
In Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, a stone enforcement facility collapsed early in the morning and about 15 residents living near the installment had to evacuate to a nearby apartment. In Gapyeong, also in Gyeonggi Province, a 36-year-old office worker was swept away by a current while taking a stroll at an amusement park.
In Chuncheon and Gangwon provincial areas, precipitation exceeded 170 millimeters while Seoul recorded 158.5 mm.
The state weather agency forecast more than 200 millimeters of rain would fall on some parts of the county by the end of the day.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings and alerts for most central parts of the peninsula and advised people to take extra caution. The rain is expected to cease on Thursday or Friday.
By Bae Ji-sook (
baejisook@heraldcorp.com)