Heavy Rain Increasing... No Measures for Animals Flooded by Rain?

Heavy Rainfall Centered in Central Region
Animals Suffer Damage During Disasters Like Heavy Rain and Wildfires
Climate Crisis Expected to Increase Frequency of Disasters
'Physical Pain' Constitutes Animal Abuse...Need for Countermeasures

On August 8, 2020, heavy rain caused a river to overflow in Daegang-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk, flooding nearby village livestock barns, and calves are attempting to escape.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Since the 8th, record-breaking heavy rains have poured down in the central region, causing casualties and flooding subways in various places. It is known that not only human casualties but also many animals suffer damage whenever heavy rains fall, prompting calls for related measures.

As heavy rains poured down in the central region, various damages occurred. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 9th, as of 6 a.m. that day, casualties caused by the continuous heavy rain since the previous day were counted as 7 dead (5 in Seoul, 2 in Gyeonggi), 6 missing (4 in Seoul, 2 in Gyeonggi), and 9 injured (Gyeonggi).

Confusion also occurred as subways were flooded and operations were suspended. According to Seoul City, on the afternoon of the 8th, due to the heavy rain, leaks occurred at Samsung Station, Sadang Station, Seolleung Station on Line 2, Daechi Station on Line 3, Sangdo Station, Isu Station, Gwangmyeong Sageori Station on Line 7, and Dongjak Station on Line 9 was flooded and suspended operations. Downward operations at Yeongdeungpo Station on Line 1 were also suspended due to flooding, and trains were delayed at Oryu-dong Station on the Gyeongin Line and Geumcheon-gu Office Station on Line 1.

It is reported that not only human casualties but also many animals suffer damage whenever such heavy rains fall. On June 30, when heavy rains exceeding 100mm per hour occurred in the Chungnam region, dogs at a slaughterhouse in Boryeong were left exposed to the heavy rain.

On June 30, heavy rain caused dogs to be left unattended in a slaughterhouse in Boryeong, Chungnam. Photo by Care, an animal rights organization, Instagram capture.

On that day, the animal rights organization "CARE" posted on Instagram with the title "Every day. Dogs at the Boryeong slaughterhouse enduring the heavy rain with their whole bodies." CARE explained, "They have been enduring the heavy rain all day yesterday and throughout the night," adding, "They were also soaked in rain a few days ago." They further stated, "The dogs are confined and tied up without even a shelter, enduring this heavy rain for several days with their whole bodies," and "It is a situation where hypothermia could cause death at any time."

In the past, animals in livestock facilities were also driven to death due to floods. In August 2020, heavy monsoon rains continued for over a week in the metropolitan and central regions, causing flood damage. According to CDSCH statistics at the time, 3,059 people from 1,853 households in 8 cities and provinces were affected within a week, and a total of 8,246 facility damages were reported, including houses, roads, livestock facilities, warehouses (1,196 cases), and vinyl greenhouses (173 cases).

At a livestock facility in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, cattle tied up in the barn with only their heads above water drowned and died. According to the Livestock Division of Cheorwon County Office, two calves drowned and died, while 52 adult cattle survived. Some villagers stayed at the flood site and set up temporary shelters, but no measures such as opening the barn doors were taken. CARE stated, "In a disaster situation, shouldn't the barn doors be opened to let them escape?" and added, "According to the local town office, it is a place where entry is only allowed with permission from the Ministry of National Defense, so no action was taken."

In 2020, at a livestock barn in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, two calves were tied up and drowned. Photo by Care, an animal rights organization, Instagram capture

Due to this situation, animal organizations and others point out the need to prepare measures to prevent animals from being trapped or tied up and left unattended whenever disasters occur.

The organizations argue that isolation measures should be taken based on the "physical pain" clause in the Animal Protection Act. According to the related law (Article 8, Paragraph 2, Item 4 of the Animal Protection Act), acts of abuse that cause physical pain or injury without justifiable reasons such as the need for veterinary treatment or damage to human life, body, or property caused by animals as prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs are prohibited.

With the climate crisis expected to increase the frequency of disasters such as floods and wildfires, related measures are being urged. Experts particularly foresee that frequent wildfires caused by recent heatwaves could exacerbate flood damage. Andrew Hoel, a climatologist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), explained, "Soil in areas where wildfires occurred does not absorb water as effectively as before."

Meanwhile, as of the 9th, landslide warnings have been issued in 47 cities and counties nationwide related to the recent heavy rains. The Korea Forest Service's Landslide Prevention Support Headquarters announced that as of 7 a.m. that day, landslide warnings were issued for areas including △Seoul (Jung-gu, Gwanak-gu), △Incheon (Namdong-gu, Bupyeong-gu), △Gyeonggi Province (Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Gunpo, Icheon, Yeoju, Yangpyeong), and △Gangwon Province (Chuncheon, Wonju, Hoengseong, Pyeongchang). Additionally, landslide advisories were issued for △Seoul (Yangcheon-gu, Gangseo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Dongjak-gu, Seocho-gu, Songpa-gu), △Incheon (Michuhol-gu, Yeonsu-gu, Bupyeong-gu, Seo-gu), △Gyeonggi Province (Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, Ansan, Goyang, Guri, Siheung, Uiwang, Hanam, Yongin, Paju, Anseong, Gimpo, Gwangju, Yangju, Pocheon, Yeoncheon, Gapyeong), △Gangwon Province (Hongcheon, Jeongseon, Cheorwon), △Chungbuk (Eumseong), and △Chungnam (Asan).