Torrential rain knocked out power, caused landslides and left roads and subways submerged

At least eight people died after record floods in Seoul, reports Reuters. Torrential rain knocked out power, caused landslides and left roads and subways submerged.

The southern part of the national capital received more than 100mm (3.9 inches) of rain per hour on the 8 August, with some parts of the city hit with 141.5mm, the heaviest rainfall in decades, according to Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Further rain is forecast.

Data showed at least 765 facilities had been damaged. About 52 highways and roads have been blocked.

The headquarters raised the crisis alert to the highest and requested organisations adjust their working hours.

The KMA issued heavy rain warnings across the capital and the metropolitan area of 26 million as well parts of Gangwon and Chungcheong Province.

While South Korea often experiences heavy rains in summer, “such sharp increase in precipitation and frequent torrential rains cannot be explained without the big trend of climate change,” a KMA official told Reuters.

“This phenomenon is seen occurring more often due to climate change that has resulted in a prolonged summer.

Luxury Gangnam area to produce costly claims

Insurance companies are expected to face costly claims for flooded cars in Seoul’s Gangnam area, reports the Korea Herald.

Twelve automobile damage insurance companies received more than 4,791 claims for flooded cars overnight, according to the General Insurance Association of Korea.

The estimated damage amounts to $50.42m but is expected to increase as torrential rain is forecast to continue through the week.

“As the rainfall was concentrated in the Gangnam area, home to a high concentration of expensive cars, insurance companies will face a remarkably large amount of compensation claims,” said an official from a general insurance company.

“Most of the flooded car damage was reported in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon. Only two cases were reported from elsewhere – in Ulsan and North Gyeongsang Province,” an official from DB Insurance said.

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