In a tragic turn of events, South Korea has been battered by unprecedented rainfall, resulting in at least three fatalities and the evacuation of over 1,000 people. Seosan City, in particular, experienced record-breaking downpours, marking the most rain in a single hour since official records began 120 years ago.

This week, three regions in South Chungcheong province witnessed astonishing hourly rainfalls that scientists indicate could only be expected once every century. By Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Interior and Safety reported the grim news of three deaths related to the torrential rains, all occurring in the affected province.

Authorities disclosed that among the victims was an elderly man located in a submerged vehicle, another swept away by the rushing currents of a stream, and a third found deceased in a flooded basement apartment after being reported missing.

In Seosan, rainfall peaked at a staggering 114.9 mm per hour, an event that climate experts deem exceedingly rare. "This is an alarming benchmark, the highest rate we've documented since 1904," remarked a weather agency spokesperson, attributing the catastrophic weather to warm, moist air flowing from the North Pacific.

Television broadcasts captured heart-wrenching images of Seosan's streets transformed into rivers, with raging waters engulfing markets and residential blocks, and submerging vehicles. Residents found themselves in a race against time to salvage belongings and clear their flooded spaces.

Choi Hee-jin, who owns a nightclub in Seosan, expressed her despair upon returning to the devastation. "It was heart-wrenching. Water filled the club completely, with furniture and electronics just floating around. It felt like my world was collapsing," she lamented.

By Thursday morning alone, nearly 440 mm of rain had drenched Seosan—equivalent to 35 percent of the area's total yearly rainfall. Local workers like Kim Min-seo were seen tirelessly battling the aftermath, scrubbing away the mud that seemed insurmountable.

Evacuation orders were raised early Thursday in regions such as Hongseong County as floodwaters surged from nearby streams, leading to the closure of schools and nurseries in the area.

Typically, South Korea manages to prepare adequately for summer flooding, resulting in relatively low fatality rates. However, climate scientists warn that with the frequency and severity of weather anomalies increasing worldwide due to climate change, devastating events like this could become more common.

Last year's scorching summer also brought disastrous rains, killing at least 11, with scenes of despair recurrently striking, like the tragic incident in Seoul's basement apartments that gained global attention after the acclaimed film "Parasite." As the community grapples with the fallout from this flood, the questions about climate action and preparedness carry urgency more than ever.