As of midnight Monday local time, parts of Seoul saw a total of 422 millimeters (16 inches) of rain, prompting authorities to raise the highest level of emergency alert to level 3. The city recorded 141.5 millimeters (5.57 inches) of rain per hour — the highest rate since authorities began keeping records.
Photos from across the city show heavy flooding, with people walking in streets up to their thighs in water.
Although the floodwaters had largely receded by Tuesday morning, cars and buses were left strewn on roads and sidewalks, snarling morning traffic.
In some areas of Seoul, drains expanded and sent water onto streets and subway stations, according to the Seoul Metro. Some subway stations were closed due to flooding, with lines temporarily suspended on Monday night. As of Tuesday morning, authorities were still working to reopen the stations.
Several areas south of the Han River were hardest hit, including the affluent, modern Gangnam district where some buildings and shops were flooded and lost power.
About 800 residents were evacuated to schools and gyms or voluntarily sought shelter in local community centers as flooding affected more than 741 homes and shops, authorities said.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sent his condolences to the victims on Tuesday, saying he would conduct an on-site inspection and work to prevent further damage.
He also pointed to the need to review the country’s disaster management system, as extreme and unpredictable weather events are expected to become more common due to the climate crisis.
Heavy rain is expected to continue on Tuesday, with up to 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) of rain per hour in some areas, according to the country’s Meteorological Service.
Parts of Japan also saw rain on Monday night, with some parts of Hokkaido reporting flooding — but no injuries as of Tuesday. Authorities have warned of the risk of flash floods and landslides.
Additional reporting by CNN’s Jake Kwon and Reuters.
