
UAE offers condolences to South Korea as death toll from heavy rains reaches 14
Close to 170 millimetres (6.7 inches) of rain hit Gapyeong county in Gyeonggi province — 70 kilometres (40 miles) east of Seoul -- early Sunday, leaving at least two dead and four missing.
The toll could rise, with 12 people still unaccounted for after five days of heavy rain.
A woman in her 70s was killed when her house collapsed in a landslide while body of a man in his 40s was found near a bridge after he drowned, Yonhap news agency reported.
Most of the deaths occurred in the southern county of Sancheong, which has seen nearly 800 millimetres of rain since Wednesday.
Two bodies were found there early Sunday during search and rescue operations, raising the number of deaths in the rural county of 33,000 to eight, with six still missing.
South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July and is usually well-prepared. But this week, the country's southern regions were hit by especially intense downpours, with some of the heaviest hourly rainfall on record, official weather data showed.
Scientists say climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent and intense around the world. In 2022, South Korea endured record-breaking rains and flooding, which killed at least 11 people.
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Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE offers condolences to South Korea as death toll from heavy rains reaches 14
The UAE has offered its sincere condolences and solidarity with South Korea for the torrential rains with that killed 14 this week, as per a statement from the country Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa). Close to 170 millimetres (6.7 inches) of rain hit Gapyeong county in Gyeonggi province — 70 kilometres (40 miles) east of Seoul -- early Sunday, leaving at least two dead and four missing. The toll could rise, with 12 people still unaccounted for after five days of heavy rain. A woman in her 70s was killed when her house collapsed in a landslide while body of a man in his 40s was found near a bridge after he drowned, Yonhap news agency reported. Most of the deaths occurred in the southern county of Sancheong, which has seen nearly 800 millimetres of rain since Wednesday. Two bodies were found there early Sunday during search and rescue operations, raising the number of deaths in the rural county of 33,000 to eight, with six still missing. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July and is usually well-prepared. But this week, the country's southern regions were hit by especially intense downpours, with some of the heaviest hourly rainfall on record, official weather data showed. Scientists say climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent and intense around the world. In 2022, South Korea endured record-breaking rains and flooding, which killed at least 11 people.


Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan monsoon death toll rises to 203, at least 562 injured
The death toll from heavy monsoon rains that have been falling in Pakistan for weeks has risen to 203, amid ongoing flooding. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said that 97 children and 37 women were among the victims, while at least 562 others were injured. Most of the deaths occurred in Punjab, the country's largest province. It noted that more than 700 homes were damaged and more than 200 heads of livestock were killed. The downpours caused flooding and building collapses, with most of the deaths caused by the roofs of weaker homes failing. Lahore, the eastern provincial capital, reported 15 deaths till Friday, Faisalabad nine, and the farming towns of Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan several more. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of further heavy rains starting July 20, while a PDMA alert cautions of a potential high-level flood in the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma in the next 24 hours, prompting authorities to initiate emergency preparedness measures. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, during a briefing, stated that over 1,000 people had been safely evacuated from flood-hit regions in Pothohar, including 398 in Jhelum, 209 in Chakwal, and 450 in Rawalpindi, Dawn reported. According to Dawn, in Chakwal, which has witnessed some of the heaviest rainfall in recent days, two bodies swept away in flash floods were recovered on Friday. Another victim died after a roof collapse caused by a falling rock due to rain. Power outages have also persisted in numerous villages across Chakwal, with electricity yet to be restored three days after the initial flooding. Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) reported that 99 high-tension and 48 low-tension poles, along with 65 transformers, were damaged.


Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan: Death toll from monsoon rains jumps to 159; nearly 300 injured
Heavy monsoon rains across Pakistan's Punjab province killed at least 63 people and injured nearly 300 in the past 24 hours, provincial officials said on Thursday, bringing the nationwide death toll from the rains to at least 159 since late June. It was one of the deadliest days of this year's rainy season so far. The downpours caused flooding and building collapses, with most of the deaths caused by the roofs of weaker homes failing. Lahore, the eastern provincial capital, reported 15 deaths, Faisalabad nine, and the farming towns of Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan several more. Since late June, the monsoon rains have killed 103 people and injured 393 in Punjab alone, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). More than 120 homes were damaged and six livestock killed. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) gave the toll of at least 159 deaths nationwide since June 25 and said more than 1,000 homes had been damaged. A high flood alert was issued for the River Jhelum at the northern town of Mangla, where water inflows were expected to surge to high levels, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Authorities warned that adjoining streams could also overflow in the next 24 hours, putting nearby communities at risk. Monsoon rains are a routine part of South Asia's climate and are essential for crop irrigation and replenishing water supplies. However, their adverse impact has worsened in recent years due to rapid urban expansion, poor drainage systems, and more frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change.