Yeonggwang-gun Holds Progress and Countermeasure Report Meeting for Drought Preparedness

[Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong] Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jongman) announced on the 5th that it held a drought preparedness status and countermeasure briefing meeting chaired by the Yeonggwang County Governor, covering sectors such as living and industrial water, agricultural water, and crops.

Earlier, the county has been operating the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters since the 29th of last month.

In addition, to overcome the drought, efforts are being made to save water through campaigns, secure domestic water by utilizing alternative supply sources such as groundwater wells, inspect and maintain agricultural infrastructure facilities such as reservoirs, repair sluice gates, and check for leaks in industrial water tanks and pipelines.

To prevent damage to food crops (cereals, potatoes) and field crops (green onions, onions, garlic), the county has promoted water-saving to farmers, encouraged enrollment in crop disaster insurance, conducted damage surveys and growth status management of crops, and publicized cultivation methods such as vinyl-covered cultivation for drought response crop management.

The county plans to implement mid- to long-term measures such as repairing reservoir sluices and water channels, dredging reservoirs, and continuously promote water-saving behavior guidelines through ongoing campaigns to overcome the drought crisis.

Governor Kang Jongman said, “Citizens are experiencing many inconveniences due to the severe drought caused by abnormal climate,” and added, “Starting with public officials leading by example in practicing water saving in daily life, please make every effort to implement countermeasures to prevent drought damage.”

He continued, “Lastly, although it may be inconvenient, we ask all citizens to participate in water-saving practices.”

Meanwhile, the county’s average rainfall over the past six months is 100.6 mm, which is only 60% compared to the average rainfall of 166.9 mm over the past 10 years. The reservoir storage rate in the jurisdiction is 51.3%, and the storage rate of five water sources is 40.1%, indicating a weak drought at the interest stage according to the Korea Meteorological Administration’s drought forecast.

Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong baekok@asiae.co.kr