Death toll from S. Korea’s heavy rain rises to 40, 9 missing

Rescue workers look for victims during a search and rescue operation near an underpass that has been submerged by a flooded river caused by torrential rain in Cheongju, South Korea

The death toll from heavy rain in recent days in South Korea rose to 40, while nine others remained missing, relevant authorities said on Monday.

A total of 40 people had been found dead in southeastern North Gyeongsang province and central Chungcheong province, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters.

Heavy rain warnings were issued for the provinces, some areas of which recorded an accumulated precipitation of more than 500 mm since last Thursday.

Nine people remained unaccounted for, including eight missing in the North Gyeongsang province.

The weather agency predicted up to 200 mm of additional rain by Wednesday in the central and southern regions.

It has increased the casualties across the country due to the  flooding that also led to housing collapse and landslides.

Thirteen bodies had been recovered from vehicles trapped in a flooded underpass in the central town of Osong.

A total of 10,765 people from 16 cities and provinces were evacuated due to the downpour damage.

The number of damages to public facilities was 789 cases, which included the collapse of road slopes, road damage and destruction, mudslides and flooding.

Damages to private facilities were 352 cases such as housing damages and collapses, submerged vehicles, damaged fishing boats and destroyed walls. (Xinhua/NAN)

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