Tens of millions of East Asians yesterday were trying to save their possessions and their lives, as relentless monsoon rainfall flooded the region. The combined death tolls for the affected countries was in the hundreds, as searchers hunted for dozens listed as missing in the swirling torrents.
The death toll in South Korea rose to 40, as the nation tried to repair the damage and stop water from reaching homes and buildings.
Hundreds of thousands of troops and volunteers were battling to clear debris and help the estimated 25,000 people left homeless. Yet weather forecasts warned that another storm was heading towards the Korean peninsula. A further 50 millimetres (two inches) of rain was forecast to hit the north of the country in the coming days and up to 150 millimetres in southern areas as Typhoon Paul headed from waters off the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Floods caused by more than 800 millimetres (32 inches) of rain in some areas, eased leaving a trail of damage to homes and infrastructure. "A total of 64 people are now dead or missing following the floods, including 40 confirmed fatalities," a disaster control official said. Thousands of people whose homes were destroyed by high winds and rains remained in emergency shelters where they have been given food, blankets and medical help.
Neighbouring North Korea was also hit by this week's weather, with its official media saying fatalities had occurred. The International Red Cross warned that some 60 million Chinese were at risk from flooding along the Yangtse River, and launched an appeal for emergency aid.
The floods have already left 725 dead and at least 24,000 injured while more than 1.7 million people were made homeless in six Chinese provinces, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent said.
The death toll from torrential rains in the Philippines rose to 72 yesterday with at least 40 still missing. President Joseph Estrada formed a special committee which will investigate a landslide in Antipolo town, just outside Manila, where the bodies of 27 people have been recovered and many more were feared dead.
The Red Cross said about 662,000 people had been displaced by heavy rains that began last weekend and persisted until Wednesday. Scientists said it was the highest rainfall level in 25 years.
In Thailand, officials said the cost of damage from weekend flooding in the south-eastern provinces of Chantaburi and Trat could reach 320 million baht (£6.2 million). Six people have been killed and two are missing.
Interior ministry officials said life was slowly returning to normal for more than 100,000 people affected by the flash floods which began on Saturday, but there were new reports of minor flooding in other parts of the country.
In neighbouring Cambodia, eight children were feared drowned and thousands of people were left homeless by flash floods in the southern province of Kampot, a Red Cross official said. The area could only be reached by helicopter and relief workers said they were preparing to distribute plastic sheeting and emergency rations to those left homeless.
Kampot governor Mr Ly Sou said he had confirmation that at least two children had drowned when metre-deep flash floods hit early on Wednesday.
"Drinking water and electricity have been cut off, and it is still raining. Throughout Kampot province thousands of families have fled their homes," he said. He said the Red Cross and local authorities in Kampot - situated about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of the capital Phnom Penh - were working to confirm the death toll.
The Red Cross said it was aware of 500 families left homeless by the disaster who had found shelter in a pagoda. The families needed food and clothing and may have contracted diseases.
Travellers said a key highway linking Phnom Penh with the southern port of Sihanoukville had reopened to traffic after flood waters receded. It had been cut off for two days.