Incessant torrential rains pounding South Korea prompting authorities on Thursday to close parts of highways and issue a rare flood alert near a key river bridge in Seoul.

The state-run Han River Flood Control Office said its flood alert near the Han River bridge is the first such measures since 2011.

Agency officials said parts of highways along the river have been closed and many riverside public parks flooded.

The rainfall stopped near the Han River bridge as of Thursday afternoon but the flood alert remains in effect, according to the agency.

Much of South Korea have been hit by days of heavy rains since Saturday.

The rainfall caused landslides and floods, leaving 16 people dead and 11 others missing, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said in a report.