Asia Hit by Flooding and Landslides After Torrential Rain

Torrential rainfall caused devastating flooding and landslides across large parts of Asia last week, leading to multiple fatalities and significant destruction. Vietnam, southern China, and South Korea were particularly affected by the extreme weather events.

In Vietnam, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the Phuc Than weather station recorded 206mm of rain within a 24-hour period from Thursday into Friday. This intense rainfall resulted in homes being swept away, widespread power outages, and the destruction of 238 hectares (588 acres) of farmland. The village of Muong Than in southern Vietnam experienced flash flooding early Friday morning, which claimed the lives of at least four people, with four others reported missing.

South Korea also endured substantial rainfall, with some stations recording nearly 200mm. A weather station in Paju, located north of Seoul, registered 192.5mm of rain. The heavy downpour led to significant flooding of homes and roads, disrupting daily life and causing considerable damage. The full extent of the damage and the total number of casualties across all affected regions are still being assessed.