At least 40 people in South Korea have died after a weekend of severe rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country.

The disasters have prompted calls from President Yoon Suk-yeol to “overhaul” how the country combats extreme weather arising from climate change.

On Monday, the nation was reeling from a tunnel tragedy where at least 13 people died in their vehicles after becoming trapped by floodwaters.

The full death toll is still unknown.

But on Monday, responders were still working to drain the 685m-long (2,247ft) tunnel in the central city of Cheongju - with divers deployed to retrieve victims.

At least 15 vehicles - including a bus- were trapped in the underpass on Saturday, when floodwater from a nearby burst riverbank poured in.

Nine survivors have been found so far. Meanwhile, families of those missing waited at a local hospital.

“I have no hope but I can't leave,” a parent of one of those missing in the tunnel told local news agency Yonhap.

“My heart wrenches thinking how painful it must have been for my son in the cold water.”

South Korea is experiencing one of its most intense summer monsoon seasons on record, with heavy downpours across the past week causing floods, landslides and power cuts across the country.

More torrential rain is expected this week - with showers forecast to Wednesday.

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday vowed to “completely overhaul” how the country responds to such extreme weather events.

“Extreme weather events like this will become commonplace. We must accept that climate change is happening and deal with it,” he said on Monday, ahead of a visit to the flood-hit North Gyeongsang province.

He also stated that a lack of proper management in flood-prone areas had caused many casualties.

In Cheongju where the tunnel flooding occurred, victims' families had criticised local authorities for not shutting off access to the tunnel earlier, when flood warnings were already in place.

President Yoon has ordered military deployments to managing the aftermath of downpours across the country. He also announced the designation of hard-hit areas as

“special disaster zones” eligible for state support.

As of Monday morning, at least nine people were still missing after the weekend deluge, authorities said.

South Korea is experiencing one of its most intense summer monsoon seasons on record, with heavy downpours across the past week causing floods, landslides and power cuts across the country.

More torrential rain is expected this week - with showers forecast to Wednesday.

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday vowed to “completely overhaul” how the country responds to such extreme weather events.

“Extreme weather events like this will become commonplace. We must accept that climate change is happening and deal with it,” he said on Monday, ahead of a visit to the flood-hit North Gyeongsang province.

Deadly floods sweep Asia in intense monsoon season

Four ways climate change is affecting the weather

He also stated that a lack of proper management in flood-prone areas had caused many casualties.

In Cheongju where the tunnel flooding occurred, victims' families had criticised local authorities for not shutting off access to the tunnel earlier, when flood warnings were already in place.

President Yoon has ordered military deployments to managing the aftermath of downpours across the country. He also announced the designation of hard-hit areas as “special disaster zones” eligible for state support.

As of Monday morning, at least nine people were still missing after the weekend deluge, authorities said. (BBC)