Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to Operate Summer Disaster Response Situation Room 24/7 for Four Months Starting from the 10th

Forming 6 Teams... Inspecting D-Grade Reservoirs and More

Apples ready for harvest fallen on the ground of an orchard in Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, swept by Typhoon 'Maysak' on September 3 last year. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has decided to operate a 24-hour summer disaster response situation room for four months from the 10th of this month to October 15th to prevent summer disasters such as typhoons in agricultural fields.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 3rd that during this period, it will operate the situation room together with the Rural Development Administration, Korea Forest Service, local government agricultural technology centers, Korea Rural Community Corporation, and others to prepare disaster prevention and recovery support measures.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this summer's precipitation is expected to be similar to the average, but localized heavy rain is a concern. Korea is expected to be affected by 1 to 3 typhoons, and the number of heatwave days is forecasted to be slightly higher than the average of 9.8 days. Last year, the longest rainy season, Typhoon Maysak, and others caused damage to 158,000 hectares of crops, 424 hectares of agricultural facilities, and 1,153 water management facilities, and landslides resulted in 9 casualties.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to establish a disaster response posture centered on the situation room, including 24-hour situation management, maintaining a cooperative system with the Central Safety and Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters (CDCH), and rapid recovery response in case of damage. Six teams within the situation room will disseminate weather warnings and damage prevention guidelines, compile and report damage situations, and hold disaster countermeasure situation management meetings when disasters occur. In case of damage, emergency recovery personnel and materials will be supported together with the Ministry of National Defense and agricultural cooperatives. The Rural Development Administration and local government agricultural technology centers will assist in preventing the spread of pests and diseases in agricultural fields.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "If disasters such as typhoons, heatwaves, and heavy rain are thoroughly prepared for in advance, damage can be minimized," and urged, "Farmers should familiarize themselves with and follow the guidelines for preventing damage to facilities and crops and the national action guidelines for summer disaster preparedness in advance."

Meanwhile, since the 24th of last month, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been inspecting vulnerable water management facilities such as reservoirs rated D or below after holding a pre-summer disaster inspection meeting chaired by Vice Minister Park Young-beom. They are also inspecting major crops related areas such as drainage around facility greenhouses and checking risk areas for African Swine Fever (ASF).