Prime Minister Han: "If There Are Extreme Heavy Rain Risk Factors, Strong Preemptive Evacuation Should Be Induced"

1151 Households Evacuating in 6 Cities and Provinces

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo recently ordered, regarding the heavy rains centered in Chungnam and Jeonbuk, "Even if it is not a special management area, if there are risk factors, proactively induce pre-evacuation strongly, even if it seems excessive."

Prime Minister Deok-su is presiding over a meeting to review the heavy rain damage situation and response plans on the 10th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Photo by the Prime Minister's Office) [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Prime Minister Han held a video conference at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the Government Seoul Office with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Environment, National Police Agency, National Fire Agency, Korea Forest Service, and Korea Meteorological Administration to check the damage situation from the heavy rains and the response plans of each agency.

On that day, Prime Minister Han said, "The government's greatest goal is to minimize human casualties," and added, "In a situation where extreme heavy rains have become commonplace, the response of the government and local governments must be more meticulous to protect the lives and safety of the people."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that during the recent heavy rain period, a total of 3,568 people from 2,585 households temporarily evacuated in six cities and provinces. Among them, 1,668 people from 1,151 households are still evacuated. Additionally, 14,579 public officials nationwide were on emergency duty.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment reported that currently, seven multipurpose dams are securing flood control capacity through sluice gate discharge. It also explained that although 13 flood warnings and 13 flood advisories are currently issued for rivers nationwide, all water levels are decreasing.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated that the maximum hourly rainfall measured in Geumsan, Chungnam; Chupungnyeong, Chungbuk; and Gunsan, Jeonbuk corresponds to a 200-year frequency heavy rain event.

The Korea Meteorological Administration reported, "Given the recent characteristics of the monsoon heavy rains, where the precipitation area is very narrowly formed at 20 to 30 km and the rainfall intensity strengthens at night, more thorough preparation is necessary."