At least 14 people have died in floods and landslides caused by days of torrential rain in South Korea, the country’s disaster management office has said.

There are fears the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue, with 12 people reported missing.

Nearly 10,000 people have evacuated their homes since the downpour began on Wednesday while more than 41,000 households have temporarily lost power, according to local media.

The rain has now largely subsided in the worst-hit southern and central areas, but more downpours are expected in the capital Seoul and northern regions.

Thousands of roads and buildings have been damaged and submerged by raging floodwaters, with reports of damage to farmland and widespread death of livestock.

Much of the destruction has been in the country’s south, with six people killed and seven missing in Sancheong county.

Casualties have also occurred in a northern mountainous region near Seoul, as well as other western and northern areas.

Serious landslide warnings have been issued in several regions nationwide, while the government launched a multi-agency recovery effort on Sunday.