A record rainfall in South Korea has triggered heavy damage including flooding and landslides, leaving four people dead.

Developed rain clouds brought downpours to wide areas mainly in western and southern parts of the country from Tuesday night through Wednesday.

Local media say 146 millimeters of rain per hour, which is believed to be a record in the country, was observed on the island of Eocheong off the western coast through the early hours of Wednesday.

In the western city of Gunsan, 131 millimeters of rain, which is equivalent to more than 10 percent of the average yearly rainfall, was recorded during a one-hour period. In Iksan, also in the west, precipitation reached 125 millimeters per hour at one point.

The torrential rain has inundated houses, submerged roads, as well as caused landslides and flooding of rivers.

The government says the downpours have left four people dead and one person missing. A man was reportedly found dead inside a submerged elevator and another was killed due to a landslide.

Weather officials say the rain is expected to continue through Wednesday night in parts of the country's south, calling on people to stay on the alert.