Ministry of the Interior and Safety Activates Level 1 CDSCH in Response to Heavy Rain Warnings in Southern Regions

"Proactive Response Needed Before Hazards Occur"

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) as of 6:00 p.m. on the 13th. This measure was taken in response to the issuance of heavy rain warnings centered on the southern regions, including Jeolla and Gyeongsang.

Kwangyong Kim, Director of the Disaster Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is holding an emergency countermeasure meeting with related agencies on heavy rain preparedness at the Government Sejong Complex on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the heavy rain that began on this day is expected to continue through the 15th at the latest. Rainfall is forecast to exceed 150 mm in the Gyeongsang region, 120 mm in Gangwon and Yeongdong, and up to 100 mm in the Jeolla region.

Kim Minjae, head of the CDSCH, called on related agencies to respond thoroughly in order to minimize the damage anticipated from the heavy rain.

Kim emphasized that the emergency response system should be preemptively activated before weather hazards occur, while monitoring weather conditions in real time.

He specifically requested that thorough safety measures be taken to prevent accidents such as visitors to valleys and rivers during the hot weekend becoming stranded or involved in water-related accidents due to sudden downpours.

For areas affected by wildfires, he ordered that monitoring be strengthened to prevent secondary damage such as landslides, and that nearby residents be evacuated immediately if dangerous situations are anticipated.

He also requested that disaster text messages, disaster broadcasts, and village announcements be used repeatedly to inform the public of safety guidelines, such as refraining from going out during periods of heavy rainfall.

He urged frontline agencies, including the police, to strengthen organic cooperation by responding jointly as soon as any signs of danger are detected, and to pay close attention to the safety of personnel on site.