In central Korea, two days of torrential rain left a heavy toll this week. More than 64 people died and at least 44 were injured in floods in both the central and south-western areas of the country.

The disasters followed thunderstorms which poured 180 millimetres (7 inches) of rain on Seoul, killing 45 people.

The new downpours of up to 320 millimetres (12 inches) caused the Kum Rive to floods farming areas about 90 miles south of Seoul. Puyo country was one of the worst-hit areas.

The overflow left a quagmire of destroyed houses and flooded rice fields with survivors digging through the debris in search of relatives. South Korean army helicopters rescued dozens of marooned people.

The homeless were accommodated in schools and other public buildings but delivery of relief supplies was delayed by broken roads and missing bridges.

Rations and medical supplies were rushed into the area by air following reports of diarrhoea and a lack of clean drinking water and dry fuel. Typhoid vaccinations were also rushed in to beat any epidemic.