SEOUL-Heavy rainfall, which started on June 17, brought the end of the months-long drought, taking away people’s concerns, but the much-coveted rain also brought with it another source of anxiety _ flood damage.

Affected by low atmospheric pressure lingering over the Korean Peninsula, the nation already received up to 218 mm of rain in Myongsa, Koje-do.

In particular, South Kyongsang and Cholla Province saw localized torrential rains, enough to relieve the effects of the worst drought in nearly a century.

As of June 18 morning, 161.3 mm of precipitation was recorded in Pusan, 120 mm in South Kyongsang and Cholla Province, and 71 mm in Chungchong- pukto.

The continuous downpours resulted in extensive property damage and even human casualties in these areas, causing fears of additional damages at the start of the monsoon season this weekend.

At around 6 p.m. on June 18 , a 66-year-old woman drowned in a flash flood while tending to her melons at a green house near a stream in Songju-gun, North Kyongsang Province.

Kim Ui-ju, a resident of Chinju, Kyongsang-namdo, was buried under rubble early yesterday morning when a roof collapsed. The 80-year-old man was immediately taken to a hospital after being pulled out by rescue personnel.

Other areas of the nation also reported considerable property damage as many roofs and other support structures were unable to withstand the heavy rains.

In stark contrast with the parched land and cracked riverbeds two days ago, some 50 hectares of onion farms were flooded in South Kyongsang, forcing farmers to work all night in efforts to drain the water.

Also, a 119 rescue team and city officials struggled to drain water from an inundated shop in Changwon, Kyongsang-namdo.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advised people to make every effort to minimize potential damage by torrents, as more rain is expected during the weekend.