As the holiday weekend begins, the government is taking precautions against heavy rain expected to start in southern regions on August 15 and spread nationwide by the early hours of August 16.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on August 14 that a meeting was held under the leadership of Kim Kwang-yong, head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, to discuss measures in preparation for the rain.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain will begin in the southern regions on the afternoon of August 15 and will expand to most areas of the country by early August 16. Particularly, heavy rainfall of over 150mm is anticipated along the southern coast and near Jirisan.
During the meeting, Kim emphasized the importance of preventing casualties from the impending rain and urged local governments and relevant agencies to review their preparedness measures. He instructed that real-time monitoring of weather conditions be maintained throughout the holiday to ensure a robust response system is in place.
Kim also referenced a recent incident on August 8, where heavy rainfall in mountainous areas caused rapid rises in water levels in downstream valleys and rivers, leading to the isolation of tourists. With many visitors expected in mountainous valleys and camping sites during the holiday, he stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent casualties, including preemptive evacuations if necessary.
Additionally, he highlighted the need to assess risks along coastlines, where heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves could pose dangers to travelers. He called for thorough checks of potential hazards and the restriction of access to rocky shores and breakwaters.
In areas prone to flooding, such as semi-basement homes and underground roads, real-time monitoring will be conducted, and immediate action will be taken to control access if flooding is anticipated. Residents who may have difficulty evacuating on their own will be assisted by evacuation support teams.
Furthermore, Kim urged for enhanced inspections and monitoring of steep slopes, areas vulnerable to landslides, and locations with a history of past damage. He called for thorough maintenance of drainage facilities, including stormwater drains and pumping stations, in preparation for the heavy rain.
Kim stated, "We will establish an emergency response system for heavy rain during the holiday period and will act swiftly to implement preemptive controls and evacuations to prevent casualties if any warning signs are detected. I urge everyone to refrain from going out during heavy rain and to avoid dangerous areas such as landslide-prone regions, riverbanks, and underground spaces."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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