한중일 왜 폭우 쏟아지나...지구온난화의 나비효과 영향 커
With South Korea continuing to see major rain damage across much of the nation, some experts say the seemingly unending rainstorms might be related to global warming.
South Korea isn't the only country in the region suffering either Japan and China are feeling the brunt of Mother Nature as well.
Choi Won-jong has the details.
This summer, the rainy season has been even more intense than usual,... causing major damage across Northeast Asia.
In South Korea, the nation has endured one of its longest monsoon seasons already.
It is up to 41 days long in the central region, 38 days in the south, and nearly 50 for Jeju.
Experts say the prolonged period heavy rain might be down to global warming.
The Korea Meteorological Administration says drastic climate change in the Arctic and Siberia has led to torrential rain in East Asia, likening it to a butterfly effect.
Experts say melting ice and frost in the Arctic causes warm air to push cold air currents to Northeast Asia.
The damage, however, is not only centered on South Korea.
In China, torrential rains have swept battered southern and central regions.
Flooding for over two months has left more than 50 million flood victims in total.
The Three Gorges Dam in central China's Hubei Province is close to being breached as well.
With Japan bracing for a heavy rain season, the nation saw record heavy rain in the Kyushu area earlier this month, killing more than 70 people.
With the weather remaining similar, the Japanese government has been on an emergency footing.
Closer to home, South Korean officials say this year's rainy season and the damage it has caused are not typical, but could become the new normal if the world continues to warm at its current rate.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.