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Nearly 8,000 still displaced after deadly torrential downpours

Makeshift shelters for flood victims are set up at a gym in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap Nearly 8,000 people have yet to return home after torrential rains pounded the country last week, officials said, despite the monsoon rain coming to a lull, Wednesday.Across the country, a cumulative 16,514 people had temporarily evacuated their homes as of 11 a.m. Of them, 7,843 were still staying at relatives' houses or shelters set up at senior centers, village halls or schools, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.The torrential rain that swept the country last week left 44 people dead and six others missing nationwide. In particular, the flooding of the underground roadway in Osong, North Chungcheong Province on Saturday led to 14 deaths, when a nearby river overflowed after an embankment was brought down by rising water levels due to heavy rain.Downpours have also damaged 1,043 public facilities and 948 othe

Jul 19, 2023
Nearly 8,000 still displaced after deadly torrential downpours

Yoon declares 13 special disaster zones over heavy rain

Most areas are in North Gyeongsang, South Chungcheong provinces By Ko Dong-hwanPresident Yoon Suk Yeol designated 13 areas affected most severely by torrential rains as special disaster zones, including cities and counties in North Gyeongsang Province, North Jeolla Province and North and South Chungcheong provinces, Wednesday. The announcement came amid search and rescue operations for those who remain missing, and the presidential office said additional designations are expected depending on the completion of the government's damage inspection. The latest special disaster zones are Yecheon, Bonghwa, Yeongju and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province; Nonsan, Gongju, Cheongyang and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province; Cheongju and Goesan in North Chungcheong Province; and Iksan and Gimje's Juksan Township in North Jeolla Province. Sejong Special Self-Governing City is also on the beneficiary list.Local governments and district offices for the areas designated as special disaster zones receive special benefits from the central government, including special funds to be used for recove

Jul 19, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan
Yoon declares 13 special disaster zones over heavy rain

47 Korean cultural heritage sites damaged by torrential rains

This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration, shows soil erosion due to recent heavy rains at the Seoseoldang Historic House in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. YonhapThe government on Wednesday confirmed more cases of damage to national heritage sites from the torrential rains that pounded the country over the weekend.In addition to the 41 cases announced a day ago, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said six more national heritage sites have been damaged since the summer monsoon season began June 23.The 47 cases included one national treasure, one lower-level treasure, one state-registered cultural heritage, seven natural monuments and 20 historic sites.By region, 18 of them were reported in North Gyeongsang Province, seven in the South Chungcheong and South Jeolla provinces, five in North Jeolla Province, and three each in the Gangwon and North Chungcheong provinces.Many of the latest reports of damage came from Joseon-era (1392-1910) "hanok" houses located in North Gyeongsang Province, one of the areas hit hardest by the downpours, according

Jul 19, 2023
47 Korean cultural heritage sites damaged by torrential rains

Marine missing during search operation for heavy rain victims

Marines search for missing persons in Yechon, southeastern Korea, after the area was hit by heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods and landslides, July 18. YonhapA marine went missing after being swept away by a torrent in a southeastern county on Wednesday while participating in a search and rescue operation for people missing after heavy monsoon rains and landslides in the area.The marine, known only as a corporal belonging to the 1st Marine Division, disappeared into the rapids of the Naeseong Stream in Yecheon, 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 9:10 a.m. during the search and rescue operation, Marine Corps officials said, adding emergency rescue workers were searching for the soldier.The marine, who was put into the search operation Tuesday, suddenly fell into the stream while moving in formation with his fellow soldiers in search of missing persons, they said, noting two other marines who also fell into the torrent managed to swim to safety.Marines and rescue workers have recovered several bodies of Yecheon residents who were swept away by floods caused by recent torrenti

Jul 19, 2023
Marine missing during search operation for heavy rain victims

Heat wave watch issued for most regions as monsoon rain comes to lull

A child plays in a fountain to cool off in Gwangju, 270 kilometers south of Seoul, July 6. YonhapA sizzling heat wave covered the nation on Wednesday as the monsoon rain came to a lull, with the state weather agency issuing a heat wave watch for most regions.The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the heat wave watch for most parts of the country. The advisory is issued when the highest apparent temperature is expected to be 33 C or higher for two or more consecutive days or when significant damage is expected due to a sudden increase in temperatures.Central regions are expected to be sunny, and the southern region cloudy with no forecast for rain, as the heavy rain that pounded the nation has subsided.The southern resort island of Jeju may see some rain in the mountainous areas from Wednesday night until the following day, and infrequent rain is expected across the island on Friday.A shower will pass through the inland in the afternoon, with southern Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province and some southern regions expected to receive 5 to 20 millimeters of rainfal

Jul 19, 2023
Heat wave watch issued for most regions as monsoon rain comes to lull

PM orders thorough preparations for impending downpours this week

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, speaks during an emergency response meeting at the government complex in Sejong, July 19. YonhapPrime Minister Han Deok-soo instructed the government Wednesday to thoroughly prepare for possible damage from another wave of torrential downpours expected later this week.Han gave the instruction during an emergency response meeting with relevant government officials, as heavy rains have been battering most parts of the country, resulting in damage and dozens of deaths."The country is expected to witness a slight decrease in rain activity for today and tomorrow, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). There is not much time left for us to rearrange," Han said, as quoted by his office during the meeting.The KMA said the seasonal monsoon will briefly pause before further strengthening in the later part of this week, which may lead to localized heavy rain and flooding.Han also urged other relevant agencies to swiftly complete emergency rehabilitation efforts to prevent secondary damage, allowing people to return to their normal lives a

Jul 19, 2023
PM orders thorough preparations for impending downpours this week

Yoon gives warning to environment minister over poor water management

President Yoon Suk Yeol, second from left, speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, July 18. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol has given a warning to Environment Minister Han Wha-jin over poor water management blamed for leading to the deaths of dozens of people in recent downpours, officials said Wednesday.Yoon told Han to "properly carry out water management duties" during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, saying environmental protection is important, but people's lives and safety are even more important, according to the officials who attended the meeting.Han replied that she would "bear that in mind," the officials said.Recent downpours have killed at least 44 people and forced thousands more to evacuate in the country's central and southern regions since last week, according to authorities.Yoon has reportedly taken issue with the lack of implementation of his instructions last year to run digital simulations on water systems and share relevant data between ministries."The bottoms of rivers and streams have become so high that there needs to be dredging," a pr

Jul 19, 2023
Yoon gives warning to environment minister over poor water management

Yoon designates 13 special disaster zones over deadly downpours

President Yoon Suk Yeol, front left, consoles a villager during a visit to a livestock farm hit by days of heavy rain in Gongju, 119 kilometers south of Seoul, July 18. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday designated 13 areas hit hard by deadly downpours as special disaster zones, including the central cities of Cheongju and Gongju, his office said.The designations make the areas eligible for the government's financial support in recovery work, relief funds for victims and other benefits.Also on the list are Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province; Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province; and Iksan, North Jeolla Province, presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon said."In order to help victims' prompt return to everyday life, special disaster zones were declared first over areas where preliminary surveys have been completed," Lee told a press briefing. "Damage surveys are difficult in some areas due to continued downpours and flooding. For areas that were not included this time, damage surveys will be quickly completed, and in cases they meet the criteria, we plan to make additional designat

Jul 19, 2023
Yoon designates 13 special disaster zones over deadly downpours

Sonar tech, drones, satellites to detect waste in Incheon waters

A conceptual image of the new maritime waste collection system being developed jointly by Incheon Metropolitan City and Ongjin County / Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan CityWaste detection system now under test operation with completion expected before 2026By Ko Dong-hwanIncheon is testing a new waste detection system using drones and satellites, which will maximize the efficiency of locating and removing sea trash.According to Incheon Metropolitan City, the system, being developed jointly with the Ongjin County government in the city's maritime territory, uses satellites, drones and sonar radar to monitor the country's western coastal waters and pinpoint the location of waste. First, a satellite scans the surface of the water to detect the presence of trash. Then, drones fly to the satellite-designated location for a closer inspection.Below the waves, sonar radars will monitor for submerged waste resting on the seabed.The three-pronged monitoring system, once having located waste, relays the data to the city government's smart maritime environment management center. The center then

Jul 19, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan
Sonar tech, drones, satellites to detect waste in Incheon waters

Heavy rain pounds nation overnight; more downpours forecast until Wednesday morning

A woman walks across a crosswalk amid torrential rains in Daegu, July 11. YonhapHeavy rain pounded the central and southern parts of the country overnight, with more downpours expected throughout Tuesday, the state weather agency said, after 50 people were killed or went missing in weekend downpours.Rain was continuing to fall in most regions as of 8 a.m., with the eastern South Jeolla and southwest Gyeonggi provinces recording 30 to 60 millimeters of rain per hour, and other regions, including Seoul, seeing 5 mm of rain, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.The greater Seoul area is forecast to receive 5 to 60 mm of rain, and southern Gyeonggi Province 30 to 100 mm Tuesday, after a lull the previous day.Heavy rain swept across southern Gyeonggi Province overnight, with the eastern city of Yeoju recording an additional 70 mm of rain as of 6 a.m.No damage was reported in the region, but a man who was fishing in the city of Yongin was rescued at 11 p.m. after being stranded due to a swollen stream. Up to 24.5 mm of rain per hour hit the southern coast of South Jeolla Prov

Jul 18, 2023
Heavy rain pounds nation overnight; more downpours forecast until Wednesday morning
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