Two nations in Asia are currently grappling with catastrophic natural disasters as record-breaking monsoon rains have unleashed severe flooding and landslides, leaving a trail of death and destruction. South Korea is responding to a "once-in-a-century" downpour that has killed dozens, while Pakistan is facing a mounting death toll from its own devastating monsoon floods.
South Korea: At Least 21 Dead, Thousands Evacuated Amid "Unimaginable" Rains
South Korea has been plunged into a national emergency, particularly in its central regions, after three days of torrential rainfall triggered widespread flooding and deadly landslides. The official death toll has climbed to at least 21, with another 14 people reported missing.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in the city of Cheongju in North Chungcheong province, where a riverside levee collapsed. The subsequent flash flood inundated a 685-meter-long underpass, trapping at least 15 vehicles, including a bus. So far, rescue divers have recovered 11 bodies from the submerged tunnel, and the search continues for more victims.
The mountainous North Gyeongsang province has also been severely hit, with the majority of the country's fatalities occurring there due to landslides that have engulfed homes with people still inside.
The scale of the disaster has forced the mass evacuation of more than 8,840 people nationwide. The relentless rain has paralyzed infrastructure, shutting down over 140 roads and suspending all general and KTX bullet train services. Thousands of households across the country remain without electricity.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently on an overseas trip, held an emergency virtual meeting and ordered Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to mobilize all available resources for the relief effort, emphasizing the need to respond to the "unimaginable" scale of the downpour.
Pakistan: Monsoon Fury Kills Over 100 as Fears of Repeat Catastrophe Grow
In Pakistan, the annual monsoon season has brought exceptionally heavy rains, leading to deadly flash floods that have now claimed the lives of at least 113 people since late June. More than 170 others have been injured.
The eastern city of Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, has been one of the hardest-hit areas, recording its heaviest rainfall in three decades. The intense downpours have caused widespread urban flooding and led to numerous house collapses, which has been a primary cause of fatalities. The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has also reported significant loss of life due to collapsing infrastructure and landslides.
This year's devastating monsoon comes as Pakistan is still recovering from the catastrophic floods of 2022, which submerged one-third of the country, killed over 1,700 people, and affected 33 million. There are growing fears among aid agencies and government officials that the current weather patterns could lead to a repeat of last year's historic disaster.
Emergency response teams are active across the country, conducting rescue operations and providing aid to the thousands whose homes have been damaged or completely destroyed. The ongoing disaster highlights the extreme vulnerability of the region to the impacts of climate change.
