Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, directed related agencies and local governments on July 20 to maintain emergency response systems and implement proactive measures in response to heavy rainfall. With significant rain forecasted for the week following the downpour that began on July 17, he emphasized the need for preemptive actions to prevent loss of life.
Minister Yoon highlighted the importance of increased monitoring in areas prone to landslides and those affected by wildfires, instructing immediate evacuation of residents at the first sign of danger. He also called for enhanced inspections of drainage systems and real-time monitoring of semi-basement homes and underground roads.
Protection of vulnerable populations was also stressed. Yoon urged the active use of resident evacuation support teams to facilitate quick evacuations for those with mobility challenges, such as the elderly, and reiterated the need for repeated warnings through disaster text messages and community broadcasts to discourage access to hazardous areas. He instructed that emergency recovery efforts and safety measures be implemented concurrently in regions already affected to prevent secondary damage.
Kim Kwang-yong, Deputy Chief of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, convened a situation assessment meeting, reiterating the importance of drainage maintenance and the evaluation of evacuation systems. He requested thorough management of relief supplies for displaced individuals in temporary housing and ensured safety checks before allowing them to return home.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced an additional 1.6 billion won in disaster relief funding for Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk provinces, along with 120 million won for heatwave response efforts in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Nationwide, there have been 828 reported incidents of damage, including flooding of homes and roads, and 557 individuals have been evacuated, with the Central Disaster Headquarters maintaining a Level 2 alert.
Minister Yoon stated, “Given the risk of additional damage from preceding rainfall, we will implement measures to prevent loss of life proactively.” He urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines, including avoiding unnecessary outings and staying away from dangerous areas.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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