The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 18th that, with the rainy season expected to begin in earnest this weekend in the central and southern regions, it will activate an emergency response system centered on the Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Situation Room. This system will operate in cooperation with local governments and related agricultural agencies to prevent damage to the agricultural sector caused by heavy rainfall.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy rain will begin in the central regions starting on the night of the 19th, expanding nationwide. Areas experiencing concentrated rainfall are expected to see heavy rain advisories issued, with intense downpours exceeding 30mm per hour. Localized torrential rain with significant regional differences in precipitation is anticipated.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated that, during ongoing on-site inspections of water facilities, food crops, horticulture, and livestock by senior officials, any problems identified will be addressed and rectified immediately on site. In addition, the Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Situation Room will operate 24 hours a day, disseminating weather updates and sending step-by-step action guidelines for farmers via text message, making every effort to prevent damage.
An official from the ministry emphasized, "To prepare for heavy rain and strong winds, farmers should maintain drainage channels in farmland, secure supports for fruit trees, apply pest and disease control agents before the rain, fasten vinyl greenhouses, and store agricultural machinery in safe locations." The official also advised, "Use bridges and riverside roads only after confirming their safety, and refrain from going outside during periods of intense rainfall."
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will maintain a cooperative system with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, local governments, the Rural Development Administration, the Korea Forest Service, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and other disaster response agencies, with the Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Situation Room at the center. In particular, by managing disaster situations around the clock, the ministry plans to mobilize all available resources and maintain an emergency response posture throughout the weekend to minimize casualties and property damage among farmers.
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