As concerns over drought grow amid ongoing heat waves, Myung Hyun-kwan, the mayor of Haenam County, is intensifying on-site responses to prevent damage. Following weekend inspections, he continued to visit affected areas on August 10.
With some reservoirs reporting water levels below 30%, Mayor Myung emphasized the need for proactive measures to secure and supply agricultural water to prevent crop damage.
On August 10, the mayor visited rice farms in Sanim, the Heuksan Reservoir in Hwangsan, and a community center in Munnae to assess the situation regarding heat and drought.
After conducting a staff meeting in the morning, Mayor Myung returned to the field to check on conditions. He stated during the meeting, "The difficulties faced by residents are increasing due to heat waves, drought, and wildfires. We must prioritize the safety of our citizens and ensure that no water shortages occur."
The focus of his inspections was on securing agricultural water. At the Heuksan Reservoir, he personally checked the water levels and pumping status, receiving updates on the agricultural water supply from officials. He stressed the importance of ensuring a steady water supply, particularly in areas with low reservoir levels, as prolonged dry spells can directly impact crop growth.
Currently, the average water level across 374 reservoirs in the Haenam area is 53.3%. Among these, 21 reservoirs have water levels below 30%.
In response, Haenam County and the Korea Rural Community Corporation are proactively addressing the agricultural water shortage by utilizing nearby pumping stations to supply water to reservoirs with low levels.
During his visit to the rice farms in Sanim, Mayor Myung also assessed the condition of the crops and the impact of the heat and drought. He then checked on the operation of cooling facilities at the community center in Munnae, ensuring that vulnerable populations are receiving adequate support during the heat wave.
Since issuing a heat wave warning on July 24, Haenam County has activated its emergency response headquarters at Level 1. Departments are on standby, conducting daily inspections of agricultural and livestock sites, as well as cooling centers in vulnerable areas.
Even if the heat wave eases, the potential for agricultural damage due to lack of rainfall is expected to persist, prompting a continued focus on drought response efforts.
Myung Hyun-kwan stated, "While the heat may subside, we are concerned about the lack of rain in our region, which raises fears of drought damage. We will closely monitor the fields to ensure that crops cultivated by farmers do not suffer and will do our utmost to manage the supply of agricultural water."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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