A record-breaking rainstorm caused massive flooding and landslides in Geoje city, South Gyeongsang Province, turning the downtown area into a mud-filled wasteland [1].
The scale of the disaster highlights the vulnerability of urban centers to extreme weather events. The resulting landslides and flooding have disrupted residential areas and critical infrastructure, leaving the city center in a state of ruin.
Drone footage captured by YTN journalist Kim Jin-du shows the extent of the damage from above. The imagery depicts residential complexes backed by green hillsides where large sections of earth have collapsed. Kim said the mountainside looked as if it had been carved out with a knife, exposing the yellow soil beneath the vegetation [1].
Local reports describe the event as a "water bomb," with the downtown area transformed into a disaster zone [1]. The intensity of the rainfall triggered multiple landslides that swept mud and debris into the streets, blocking transportation, and burying property.
According to YTN, the rainfall was the first of its magnitude in 200 years [1]. This unprecedented volume of water overwhelmed local drainage systems and destabilized the surrounding terrain, leading to the widespread devastation seen in the drone footage.
Emergency crews and local officials are assessing the damage to the residential sectors and downtown business districts. The footage shows that the mud has covered vast stretches of the urban landscape, making immediate recovery efforts difficult.
“The downtown area was turned into a mud-filled wasteland.”
The occurrence of a 200-year rain event suggests an increase in extreme weather volatility in South Korea. When urban centers like Geoje experience rainfall that exceeds historical infrastructure capacities, it necessitates a reevaluation of city planning and landslide prevention measures to mitigate future disasters.
