This undated file photo shows investigators examining an underground parking lot in an apartment complex in Pohang, 262 kilometers south of Seoul, submerged after Typhoon Hinnamnor struck the country in September 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Typhoons and heavy rains have left 122 dead or missing and caused some 3 trillion won (US$2.3 billion) worth of property damage over the last decade in South Korea, government data showed Sunday.
Of the total casualties, 76 lives were lost in 2020 and 2022, when massive typhoons and heavy rains pounded the country, including last year’s Typhoon Hinnamnor that killed 28 and left two missing, according to statistics from the interior ministry.
Property damage also reached 575.2 billion won last year, the data showed.
In the case of 2020, the country reported 46 casualties and over 1.3 trillion won in property damage amid the longest-ever monsoon season and four typhoons that battered the country.
The damage was concentrated in public infrastructure, such as roads, the data showed.
When expanded to the past 30 years, South Korea suffered 1,602 human casualties and over 23.1 trillion won in property damage from heavy rains and typhoons.
The highest number of casualties was reported in 1998 at 382, followed by 270 in 2002 and 148 in 2003.
Property damage was the highest in 2002, with over 6 trillion won from Typhoon Rusa, which is considered one of the most powerful typhoons to hit South Korea ever.
The second highest was in 2003, when Typhoon Maemi struck the country and caused some 4.4 trillion won of property damage.
(Yonhap)
