Residents of Amtae-myeon in Sinan County, weary from severe drought, received welcome rain just two days after holding a prayer for rain at the summit of Seungbong Mountain. Although the amount of rain is insufficient to fully alleviate the drought, it has provided a small sense of fulfillment for the residents as it moistens the parched land.
According to Sinan County, as of noon on the 16th, the region recorded a maximum rainfall of 33mm in Aphaedo, with an average of 12.9mm across Sinan.
On the 14th, residents held a rain prayer at the summit of Seungbong Mountain, the highest peak in the area at 355 meters above sea level, to seek relief from the drought.
The event was attended by over 30 participants, including members of the Amtae-myeon Village Leaders Association, led by Yang Heung-gil, and representatives from 13 local social organizations. Faced with ongoing heat and a lack of rainfall, residents came together to address the challenges of securing drinking and agricultural water, as well as concerns over crop damage.
The traditional ceremony featured offerings of purified water, rice, grains, and fruits. A symbolic performance called the 'Amtae Life Water Gathering' was conducted to express the community's unity and determination to overcome the drought by combining water that represents both domestic and agricultural needs.
The prayer included heartfelt wishes for rain to replenish water sources and reservoirs, ensuring stable access to drinking and agricultural water for residents. Farmers also prayed for their carefully tended rice and crops to withstand the drought and yield a bountiful harvest.
Yang Heung-gil, chairman of the Amtae-myeon Village Leaders Association, remarked, "I remember times in the past when we prayed for rain at the summit of Seungbong Mountain during droughts. I hope our wishes reach the heavens and bring us rain."
Moon Seon-woong, chairman of the Sinan County Council's Operations Committee, stated, "The heavens must understand the frustrations of the residents," and promised to establish drought response measures at the county council level.
Son Tae-won, head of Amtae-myeon, expressed, "The residents' earnestness in performing the ceremony at the rugged summit of Seungbong Mountain from dawn is significant. We will focus our administrative efforts on establishing permanent drought measures to ensure stable access to drinking and agricultural water."
Just two days after the residents' heartfelt prayers, the long-awaited rain fell in the Sinan region on the 16th.
By noon that day, Aphaedo received 33mm of rain, while the average rainfall in Sinan was recorded at 12.9mm. Although this amount is insufficient to resolve the prolonged drought, it has been a much-needed relief for the drying crops and parched land, bringing joy to residents and farmers alike.
As of August, Amtae-myeon has accumulated 539.5mm of rainfall, which is only 48.6% of the average for this time of year. Consequently, the area is conducting campaigns to encourage residents to conserve domestic water and manage agricultural water as part of their drought response efforts.
With the residents' urgent calls for rain echoing from the summit of Seungbong Mountain just two days prior, there is growing hope that this rain marks the beginning of sufficient additional rainfall to alleviate the drought.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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