Over 2,500 people evacuated after heavy rains pound South Korea's southern regions

ANKARA

Torrential rains inundated South Korea's southern regions overnight, forcing more than 2,500 people to evacuate, local media reported Monday.

A total of 2,523 people took refuge across six major southern cities and provinces -- Busan, Gwangju, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, North Gyeongsan and South Gyeongsang -- due to the rains, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.

The southwestern county of Muan was the hardest hit, receiving 289.6 millimeters (11.4 inches) of rain from midnight Sunday to Monday morning.

A man in his 60s was found dead in a stream in Muan, but authorities said they were trying to determine whether the death was related to the rains.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecast heavy rains nationwide Monday, with downpours set to continue in South Gyeongsang and adjoining areas.

The rain has helped bring relief from ongoing heat waves with alerts lifted in some areas, with temperatures expected to reach highs of 29C to 34C (84.2F to 93.2F) on Monday.