The most intense rainfall struck overnight in Gapyeong, a resort area located around 65km (40 miles) east of the capital, Seoul. The area recorded nearly 170mm (6.7 inches) of rain in just a few hours, causing a landslide that buried homes and sent vehicles careening through streets turned to rivers.

Authorities said the death toll rose as rescue teams recovered the bodies of several individuals who had previously been listed as missing, many of whom were caught in landslides. According to government figures released Monday, 17 fatalities have now been confirmed.

The deluge began on Wednesday and initially pounded the southern and central provinces, including Sancheong, which has endured nearly 800mm (over 31 inches) of rain in five days. By Sunday, the storms had shifted northward, hitting parts of Gyeonggi Province and the greater Seoul area.

Among the victims was a woman in her 70s who died after her home collapsed in a landslide in Gapyeong, according to local news agency Yonhap.

South Korea is no stranger to heavy summer monsoons, but this week's rainfall ranks among the most severe hourly totals ever recorded in the country. Meteorologists have warned that the storms could be followed by a searing heatwave later this week, compounding the challenges facing affected communities.

Experts say climate change is amplifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events globally, and South Korea has not been spared. In 2022, the country was hit by record rainfall that led to major flooding in the capital and killed at least 11 people.

Emergency responders continue search and rescue operations in areas at high risk of further landslides or flash flooding. The government has issued warnings and evacuation orders in vulnerable regions as rainfall continues to batter the Korean Peninsula.