Proactive Measures Due to Dongbok Dam Flood Level Approaching
On the 18th, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, announced that it is encouraging residents of villages near Dongbok Dam to evacuate amid continuous heavy rain.
According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Waterworks Headquarters, as of 2 p.m. on the same day, the water level of Dongbok Dam was 168.5m, slightly exceeding the full water level (168.2m).
Accordingly, the Hwasun-gun Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held an emergency video meeting with town and township heads to communicate the current situation and recommend evacuation to village residents.
On the 18th, Gubokgyu, the governor of Hwasun County, visited Dongbok Dam to inspect the dam's condition. Photo by Hwasun County
The county first sent out emergency disaster text messages to guide residents of villages downstream of Dongbok Dam to evacuate to safe locations.
The evacuation target villages include seven villages such as Yeondun 1-ri in Dongbok-myeon and eight villages such as Jangjeon 1-ri in Sapyeong-myeon.
The county advised residents to evacuate primarily to nearby relatives’ homes, village senior centers, or safe houses in highlands. If unavoidable, residents of Dongbok-myeon villages were directed to evacuate to the indoor gymnasium of Hwasun Dongbok Elementary School, and some residents of Sapyeong-myeon were to evacuate to the welfare center.
Emergency relief kits were also pre-positioned, and employees from county offices and townships supported the evacuation of village residents.
With a heavy rain warning in effect, Hwasun-gun has switched to a level 3 emergency duty system for staff since the 15th to prevent disasters in advance and prepare for any emergencies.
The county is closely monitoring the overflow situation of Dongbok Dam and plans to take emergency measures as needed.
Meanwhile, during the heavy rain from August 7 to 9, 2020, Dongbok Dam experienced sudden discharge, causing flooding of villages and farmland and forcing about 100 people to evacuate urgently.
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