As rescuers search for the missing under the rubble, thousands of evacuated villagers face the daunting task of rebuilding their homes.

At least 19 people are dead, 9 smissing after torrential rain, flooding and landslides ravaged South Korea forcing thousands to be evacuated as its president declared a special disaster.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung declared six districts as special disaster zones on Tuesday after days of torrential rains left a trail of destruction in parts of the country.