Woman killed as heavy rain hits Korea

Water is being released from the Paldang Dam at Hanam in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap

Waterside Park at Daejeon is submerged on Monday. Yonhap

Cars are submerged in a street at Boseong in South Jeolla Province, Sunday / Yonhap

People walk with umbrellas at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

A nationwide downpour hit Korea on Sunday and Monday as Typhoon Prapiroon approached.

One person was killed and two were injured after up to 300 millimeters of rain fell across the country. A woman, 53, originally from Thailand, died in hospital after being struck by lightning at Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province.

Two others ― a woman, 73, at Boseong and a man, 73, at Gwangju ― were injured.

The downpour swamped more 3,700 hectares of farmland and caused some railroads to suspend operations. Many cars have been submerged, slowing traffic. Houses and rice paddies were flooded, railway services temporarily stopped and flights were delayed.

Regional weather authorities have issued advisories and warnings on and off to keep residents alert. The rain has also prompted newly elected governors, who won their seats in last month's local elections, to skip their inauguration ceremonies and focus on the weather situation.

Typhoon Prapiroon is approaching the Korean Peninsula and is expected to hit the country hard from Monday, dumping up to 80-150mmof rain per hour nationwide.