South Korea monsoon spurs evacuations, disrupts flights

South Korea ordered people living near rivers in its central region to evacuate homes on Thursday as heavy monsoon showers dumped more than 300 mm (12 inches) of rain, while warnings went out across a large swathe of the country, including the capital.

The rain caused the cancellation of more than 24 flights at the Incheon International Airport on the west coast, and disrupted train services in Seoul, emergency authorities said.

Local carrier Etihad Airways told the ARN News Centre that their flights to the country have not been disrupted. We have also reached out to Emirates for an update. 

The government is watching for sudden surges in rivers flowing from North Korea, urging vigilance against any landmines planted at the border by its neighbour that could get washed downstream.

Although July brings annual monsoon rain, summer months in recent years have seen weather extremes that President Yoon Suk Yeol has said should be anticipated as a result of climate change.