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Anti-disaster officials said the death toll could rise as more rains were expected in southern regions. More than 2,000 people were evacuated in Gangwon Province, most of whom took shelter in town halls and schools, officials said. The rain also flooded more than 1,000 houses and 985 hectares, or 9.8 million square meters, of farmland, they said. Yanggu in eastern Gangwon Province had the most rain with 512 millimeters. Cheongil in the southwestern province received 469.5 mm, while Inje and Chuncheon received 393.5 mm and 303.5 mm, respectively. Thousands of government officials remained on a high alert. President Roh Moo-hyun ordered anti-disaster officials to double their efforts to prevent further damages when he was briefed on the situation at the agency's headquarters in Seoul. Prime Minister Han Myung-sook toured Inje and comforted flood victims and promised government support. "The government sends deep consolations to bereaved family members, evacuated people and others who suffered from the floods," Han said. "The government will support rehabilitation efforts and designate the area a special disaster zone." The prime minister planned to call an emergency meeting of concerned ministers later in the day to discuss ways to help help the flood victims. She also ordered government officials in related ministries to continue to remain on emergency duty. Weather officials issued heavy rain warnings for most of Gangwon Province and Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province and parts of Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province. The downpours came in the midst of the annual monsoon season. Weather officials predicted that the rain front would affect the country till the middle of this week. Seoul, July 16 (Yonhap News)
