Record rainfall and flooding kills at least 9 in Seoul
People clean up debris at a traditional market on Aug. 9 in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Flooding in Seoul, South Korea, overnight killed at least nine people, including two sisters in their 40s and a 13-year-old girl, the New York Times reports.
Driving the news: It was some of the heaviest rainfall seen in decades and weather officials estimate that nearly 17 inches of rain fell in southern Seoul between Monday and early Tuesday.
- At least nine other people were injured in the flooding and seven were reported missing, CNN reports.
- Seoul recorded 5.57 inches of rain per hour, which is the highest rate on record, per CNN.
- Numerous subway stations were closed due to the flooding, wreaking havoc on Seoul's Monday evening rush hour, and about 800 residents were evacuated to schools and gyms.
What they're saying: South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol wrote on Facebook that he "ordered the related government agencies to evacuate people from dangerous areas to avoid human casualties."
Our thought bubble, via from Axios' Andrew Freedman: This summer has brought deadly extreme rainfall events to the U.S., China and other parts of the globe.
- As the climate warms in response to the burning of fossil fuels for energy, extreme precipitation events are becoming more common and intense.
- Warmer air holds more water vapor, which storms can wring out of the sky as heavy rainfall.
- Computer models show more heavy rain is likely in the Korean Peninsula throughout the rest of the week, potentially causing additional significant flooding.
What to watch: More heavy rain was expected Wednesday in Seoul, per the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Go deeper... Earth sees a top 3 hottest July, marked by deadly heat, flash floods
Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the name of the Korea Meteorological Administration.