SEOUL – On July 10, South Korea’s national rail company suspended several regular routes and reduced the speed of bullet trains due to torrential rains in the central region, which began on July 7 and have caused widespread flooding and landslides.
The city of Gunsan experienced a deluge of nearly 100mm of rain in just one hour early on July 10, while several areas in the central region recorded over 200mm of precipitation in a single day, as reported by the national weather agency.
The Ministry of Interior reported the tragic death of one individual, who was struck by a collapsing wall supporting a hill. Additionally, the ministry noted significant damage to property, roads, and infrastructure.
Korail, the national rail service, announced the suspension of Saemaeul and Mugungwha trains on six routes in the central region. Some services were halted for a few hours, while others were suspended until midnight. Although the KTX bullet trains continued to operate, they ran at reduced speeds in certain areas for safety reasons.
July typically marks the monsoon season in South Korea, but recent years have seen increasingly extreme weather during the summer months. President Yoon Suk-yeol has attributed these patterns to climate change, emphasizing the need for preparedness and adaptation.