Torrential rains in South Korea's Gyeongsang province have triggered a landslide, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The incident occurred on Monday morning in the south-eastern city of Geoje, burying the first floor of an apartment building.
Rescuers pulled three individuals from the debris, with one later pronounced dead, according to local media reports. Geoje city experienced 124.5mm of rain within a single hour, marking the highest recorded rainfall for the city since South Korea's meteorological agency began keeping records in 1972. Between Sunday and Monday, Geoje received over 400mm of rain overnight.
City authorities have announced the closure of some tourist attractions on Monday due to the heavy rain. Bus operations and household waste collection have also been suspended because of flooded or damaged roads. Authorities had urged residents on Sunday to avoid driving, stay away from riverbanks, and evacuate if necessary.
This event follows widespread flooding and landslides across parts of China, Japan, and the Philippines, caused by record rainfall from back-to-back storms. Forecasters suggest this year's typhoon season may be more intense than usual due to a strong El Niño that began in June, which can increase global temperatures and typhoon strength.