SEOUL, July 16: South Korea issued a national crisis warning on Sunday as torrential rain caused flooding in parts of the country, killing 10 people and leaving 17 missing and presumed dead.

The orange alert issued for the capital, Seoul, and its surrounding regions and for the eastern province of Kangwon was prompted by a ‘high likelihood of large-scale disasters’ from heavy rain, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

The alert is a step below the category-red warning that shuts down schools and workplaces and bans access to major highways.

The orange alert puts residents of affected areas on standby for possible swift evacuation and advises children and the elderly to remain indoors.

North Korea’s official news agency, meanwhile, reported major agricultural and other economic damage in many areas. It gave no word of any casualties.

Up to 50cm of rainfall in eastern South Korea since Friday had caused flooding, driving more than 2,000 people into emergency shelters.

Further heavy rain was expected in central and eastern regions including Seoul, with more than 25cm of precipitation expected in some areas, the national meteorological agency said.—Reuters