South Korean rain turns roads into rivers, leaves eight dead

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Some of the heaviest rain in decades swamped South Korea's capital region, turning Seoul's streets into car-clogged rivers and sending floods cascading into subway stations.

At least eight people were killed — some drowning in their homes — and seven others were missing, with more rain forecast, officials said Tuesday.

More than 17 inches of rain was measured in Seoul's hardest-hit Dongjak district from Monday to noon Tuesday.

Precipitation in the area exceeded 5.5 inches per hour at one point Monday night, the highest hourly downpour measured in Seoul since 1942.

Deserted cars and buses were scattered across streets as the water receded on Tuesday. Workers cleared uprooted trees, mud and debris with excavators and blocked off broken roads.

Landslide warnings were issued in nearly 50 cities and towns, and 160 hiking paths in Seoul and mountainous Gangwon province were closed.

Emergency crews worked overnight to restore most subway service as of Tuesday morning, but a route linking towns north of Seoul was shut Tuesday evening as continuing rain flooded some stations.

Dozens of roads, including major expressways near the swollen Han River, were closed because of rising water levels or partial flooding.

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