What Signs of Landslides Did the Korea Forest Service Chief Report?
If You Notice Landslide Signs, Evacuate to Higher Ground
As the summer monsoon season approaches, the warning sounds for 'landslides' are growing louder again this year. Due to abnormal high temperatures, heavy rainfall is expected during this summer's monsoon, prompting the government and local authorities to devise measures to prevent landslides.
Landslides are likely to occur when more than 200mm of rain falls in a day or when intense rainfall exceeding 30mm per hour continues. Areas with long valleys, especially slopes with an incline of about 30 degrees from the ground, are at risk. During periods of heavy summer rain and typhoon landfalls, the leading cause of casualties is rapid river currents, followed by landslides. Given the significant human damage caused by landslides, it is crucial to identify warning signs in advance and know evacuation procedures.
On the 18th, Nam Seong-hyun, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, explained on KBS Radio's 'Jeonggyeok Sisa' about landslide signs: "If the wind is not blowing but trees are shaking or sounds come from the ground, these are signs of a landslide." He added, "Sometimes you can hear sounds from the ground, and if water flows down where it usually does not, you should be cautious. If you are near a mountain and sense signs of a landslide, you should first move to a higher place. If you are on the mountain, you need to evacuate to an even higher location."
The Korea Forest Service is working closely with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and local governments to ensure residents can evacuate safely during heavy rainfall. A change this year is the establishment of a more detailed early warning system that secures a one-hour golden time.
Nam Seong-hyeon, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the full meeting of the Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Commissioner Nam explained, "When the soil moisture content reaches about 80%, a cautionary alert is issued, and when it reaches 90%, a resident evacuation order is given." Once the evacuation order is issued, about one hour is secured for evacuation. Evacuation shelters are also announced in advance.
Preliminary warnings are sent via text messages, KakaoTalk messages, and village broadcasts. Commissioner Nam elaborated, "After that, local government officials, police, and firefighters visit elderly residents in mountain villages one by one to evacuate them to safe places."
Meanwhile, according to the Korea Forest Service, due to last year's extreme rainfall, the number of landslides nearly doubled compared to the previous year, with 2,410 cases (covering 459 hectares) occurring.
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