At least 36 killed in South Korean landslides

[News_Editor]

At least 36 killed in South Korean landslides

2011-07-28 00:48:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 36 people have been killed and nearly a dozen others are missing after rain-triggered landslides and flooding in parts of South Korea, officials said on Wednesday.

South Korea's National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the number of deaths, adding that eleven others remain missing and 50 people have been reported injured. However, officials fear the death toll could rise with the number of missing people and heavy rainfall is expected to continue until Friday.

The landslides and flooding were caused by the heavy rainfall in the region which began on Tuesday, causing power shortages in 66,093 households across the nation, including 14,083 in Seoul. In addition, several public buildings and schools were forced to close, while a number of broadcasting services were cut off as well after power facilities were damaged.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, more than 110 millimeters (4.3 inches) of rainfall per hour was recorded in the central region of South Korea, including Seoul. Meteorologists said such amounts of rainfall in South Korea are seen only once or twice every 100 years.

So far, over 400 millimeters (15.8 inches) of rainfall has been recorded in Seoul alone during the past two days, but another 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) is expected until Friday.

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