Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, has been battered by torrential rain over the three-day Liberation Day holiday, with more than 700 millimeters of rain recorded in the city and authorities responding to reports of flooding, landslides and evacuations.
An emergency disaster alert was sent to all Geoje residents at around 2:10 a.m. Monday, warning of the risk of landslides and river flooding and urging them to evacuate to safe areas.
A landslide struck an apartment complex in Okpo-dong, Geoje, at around 4:42 a.m., covering a first-floor unit and leaving at least one resident dead.
According to authorities, more than 20 emergency calls were received in Geoje between Sunday night and early Monday from residents seeking rescue from flooded or isolated homes and vehicles.
Rivers have overflowed and roads have been submerged in several parts of the city, making it difficult for rescue crews to reach affected areas. Authorities have also carried out evacuations and rescues in other parts of the province, including Tongyeong.
Geoje received more than 400 millimeters of rain between Sunday night and early Monday morning, adding to the more than 700 mm that fell over the three-day holiday weekend.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said Geoje had recorded 805.7 mm of rain from midnight Aug. 15 to 8 a.m. Monday, while Tongyeong received 671.9 mm.
milaya@heraldcorp.com