Amid a critical shortage of agricultural water due to recent low rainfall, Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, visited the Muan Hyun-gyeong Pumping Station on August 6 to assess the drought response measures and the operational status of water supply facilities.
During his visit, Mayor Min reviewed the current status of agricultural water supply and the operation of pumping facilities, confirming the emergency response system in place to prepare for prolonged drought conditions.
This inspection was prompted by concerns over water shortages in agricultural areas of Muan and Sinan, following a decrease in rainfall and a drop in the water levels of agricultural reservoirs.
After receiving reports on the operation of the pumping station and the water supply system, Mayor Min focused on checking the emergency operation protocols for pumping equipment and water supply facilities.
He specifically instructed officials to ensure that agricultural water is supplied smoothly to areas with low reservoir levels, including vulnerable regions such as the terminal points of water supply systems and paddy fields. He emphasized the need for thorough management of water levels and flow rates across supply systems, as well as increased patrols and inspections of pumping facilities and water channels.
The Muan Hyun-gyeong Pumping Station is a key agricultural infrastructure that supplies water drawn from the Yeongsan River to farmlands in Muan and Sinan. It covers a total area of 11,100 hectares and has the capacity to supply 1,405 tons of water per minute. Established in 2012, it supports stable agricultural water supply through 15 pumps with an 800mm intake.
Water drawn from the pumping station is supplied to extensive agricultural lands, including 783 hectares in the Muan Cheonggye area, 4,123 hectares in the Muan Mangun and Sinan Aphae areas, and 6,194 hectares in the Muan Haeje and Sinan Jido areas.
The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City is currently operating a drought response situation room to continuously monitor reservoir levels and crop growth conditions. Additionally, it is implementing water supply measures tailored to local conditions, including river water pumping, reservoir filling, drainage reuse, well operation, and multi-stage pumping.
In the event of prolonged drought, the city plans to allocate contingency funds to expand emergency water supply measures, including well development, installation of pumping facilities, riverbed excavation, and operation of water trucks, in collaboration with relevant agencies to quickly deploy available personnel and equipment.
Mayor Min Hyung-bae stated, "The Muan Hyun-gyeong Pumping Station is a key facility supplying water from the Yeongsan River to farmlands in Muan and Sinan. We must operate the pumping facilities stably and meticulously manage the entire water supply process to prevent farmers from facing difficulties due to water shortages in their agricultural activities."
He added, "We will actively utilize all available water sources, including reservoirs, pumping stations, and wells, to prepare for the possibility of prolonged drought, and we will minimize crop damage through proactive water supply measures focused on the field."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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