Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is beginning preparations to minimize damage from natural disasters in response to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast that this summer will be hotter than usual, coinciding with the arrival of June when heavy rains typically begin.
According to Nam-gu on the 27th, a pump and submersible pump operation drill for summer natural disaster preparedness will be held on the 28th at 4 p.m. under the Gwangju Bridge in Gwangju Park.
About 60 people will participate in the drill, including disaster management officials from two departments at the main office, disaster management officers from 17 neighborhoods, and members of the Nam-gu regional autonomous disaster prevention group.
The participants will train for about 90 minutes on operating pumps and submersible pumps to minimize casualties and property damage caused by heavy summer rains and to ensure a swift response to natural disasters.
Prior to this, Nam-gu conducted a preliminary inspection of 20 pumps and 20 submersible pumps owned by the district office over two weeks from May 7 to 17.
Additionally, on the 29th, a joint drill will be conducted at the rear of Gyeongnam Apartment in Juwol-dong and Namhae Onette to check on-site responses in flood-prone areas based on a simulated heavy rain scenario.
The drill will involve on-site operation teams for flood-prone areas, autonomous disaster prevention groups, and residents active in the integrated volunteer support group.
The drill location is one of eight habitual flood-prone areas within the district, which Nam-gu manages through a dedicated department system for flood-vulnerable zones.
In particular, eight disaster-related departments at the district office and 52 personnel assigned to each flood-prone area immediately respond to heavy rain advisories, warnings, and heavy downpours by heading to the site to maintain rainwater drains and install sandbags in areas at risk of backflow to prevent flooding.
Furthermore, as this summer is expected to be hotter than usual with frequent scorching heatwaves, Nam-gu is also hastening preparations to prevent heat damage.
After inspecting shade shelters installed at about 100 crosswalks and other locations in the district earlier this month, full operation has begun, and cooling fog systems installed at Mudeung Market, Bongseon Market, Nodae-dong Mulbit Park, and Bitgoeul Rural Theme Park will soon be activated.
A Nam-gu official stated, "Unexpected situations can occur at any time, so it is important to always be fully prepared," adding, "We will prevent damage from various disasters such as heavy summer rains through thorough preparation."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
