Latest news with #Ministry of the Interior and Safety
CNA
22-07-2025
- Climate
- CNA
South Korea's Lee declares disaster zones after floods
SEOUL: South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung declared six districts as special disaster zones on Tuesday (Jul 22) after days of torrential rains left a trail of destruction in parts of the country. The wet weather has now subsided, though media reports said heavy rainfall was drenching parts of North Korea. Around 19 people have died and nine were still missing in South Korea as of Tuesday morning, while 2,549 people were still displaced, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said. Around 3,776 facilities, including homes, shops and factories, needing to be cleared of water, debris and earth, the ministry added. President Lee's declaration of special disaster zones - including in Gapeyeong on the outskirts of Seoul - gave authorities access to emergency administrative and financial support to aid victims. He earlier told public officials to "spare no effort" in the search for missing people. The president's approval rating slipped to 62.2 per cent from 64.6 per cent in a survey conducted last week during the rains, according to pollster Realmeter.
Arab News
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
Torrential rain leaves at least 18 dead in South Korea, trail of devastation
REUTERS: Severe wet weather in South Korea eased on Monday following days of torrential rain that triggered floods and landslides and left at least 18 people dead, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Monday. Nine people remained missing as of Sunday evening, the ministry said, with residents of the worst-hit areas in shock. At Gapyeong, some 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) northeast of the capital Seoul, some residents recalled narrow escapes from the floods after 173 millimeters (6.8 inches) of rain deluged the area over just 17 hours on Sunday. Gapyeong was among a number of places that saw a record amount of rain in a single day and broke the previous high for national daily precipitation of 156.3 mm that was set on September 30, 1998. 'The ground just sank beneath me, and the water rose all the way up to my neck. Luckily, there was an iron pipe nearby. I held on to it with all my strength,' said Ahn Gyeong-bun, the owner of a restaurant that was almost completely destroyed. Two people died and four were missing after a landslide engulfed homes around Gapyeong and floods swept away vehicles as of Sunday, the ministry said. For those remaining like Ahn, an uncertain future awaits. 'I've run this restaurant for 10 years ... What am I supposed to do now?' said Ahn, as she stood next to the badly damaged structure of her building perched next to a still swollen river. At times breaking down in tears, the 65-year-old said several of the restaurant's refrigerators were washed away by the flood. Across South Korea, rain damage had been reported to 1,999 public structures and 2,238 private facilities, including farms, the interior ministry said. While the rain has eased, the national weather agency has now issued a nationwide heatwave watch. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a thorough response to the disaster, his office said. 'As local heavy rains have become commonplace, customised measures based on regional characteristics are urgently needed,' said Kang Yu-jung, the spokesperson for Lee's office. 'If serious laxity or mistakes are found in civil servants' discipline, we will hold them accountable and thorough measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence.' Lee, who took office in June, has promised to make the country safer and to prevent any repeat of the disasters in recent years that have often been blamed on the inadequate response by authorities.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Weather tracker: Mediterranean heatwave sparks concern for marine life
A recent heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea has been so severe scientists are concerned for marine life. The human-induced climate crisis is making marine heatwaves more intense and prolonged, with sea surface temperatures off the coast of Mallorca since late June frequently exceeding 30C (86F). Portugal's maritime authority said the southern Algarve had experienced a marine heatwave between the 28 June and the 9 July. Temperatures have been significantly higher than the average observed over the past 20 years – with some areas 5C above normal. This most recent marine heatwave has been the western Mediterranean's most extreme for this time of year. While sea surface temperatures above 30C are not that unusual later in the summer, such conditions are unprecedented in late June. The impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems from marine heatwaves can be significant. Prolonged exposure can drain the energy from sea creatures to a point where they can no longer survive. There is also evidence that some species go into survival mode and will not reproduce. Meanwhile, days of torrential rain across South Korea have been responsible for at least four deaths, with two people still unaccounted for. The country has been pounded by heavy rainfall since Wednesday, prompting the authorities to warn of landslides and flooding. Landslide alerts were raised to the highest level in several regions late last week, including across Chungcheong. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said more than 500mm had been recorded in Seosan, South Chungcheong province, since Wednesday. As of Saturday, almost 3,000 people had not returned to their homes after more than 7,000 were evacuated. More than 600 properties were reported damaged. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Wipha has brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of south-east Asia. The weather system hit parts of the Philippines before passing to the south of Taiwan on Saturday. Rain lashed Hong Kong on Sunday as Wipha moved southwards before making landfall on the coast of Guangdong province in China. The storm is expected to reach northern Vietnam this week, bringing very heavy rain. More than 110mm of rain was recorded in three hours in Hong Kong, with up to 100mph (161km/h) gusts. Cathay Pacific cancelled all flights for much of Sunday and elsewhere trees and scaffolding were toppled.
