Governor Kim Youngrok Urges Maximum Effort for Heavy Rain Response and Damage Recovery

Emphasis on Continuous River Level Monitoring at Emergency Review Meeting
Minimizing Casualties... Initiating Emergency Restoration and Removal of Hazards

Jeollanamdo Governor Kim Youngrok is presiding over a meeting to review countermeasures for heavy rain on the afternoon of the 18th at the provincial government disaster control center, attended by department heads in person and deputy heads of city and county governments via video. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On the 18th, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanamdo, held a meeting with the mayors and county heads of all 22 cities and counties to review the response to the heavy rainfall. He urged, "Mobilize all administrative resources so that residents can feel safe and continue their daily lives. Please make every effort from responding to the heavy rain to restoring damages."

According to Jeollanamdo, since the 17th, the region has experienced an average rainfall of 130 mm. In some areas, localized torrential downpours occurred, with Geumcheon in Naju recording the highest precipitation at 432 mm, followed by Okgwa in Gokseong with 410 mm, Bongsan in Damyang with 385 mm, and Wolya in Hampyeong with 348 mm.

As a result, there have been damages including flooding of 197 homes and commercial properties, inundation of 2,924 hectares of farmland, and the loss or damage of some roads. Currently, the rainfall has subsided, and river water levels are rapidly returning to normal.

As another round of heavy rain, with forecasts predicting up to 300 mm or more, is expected to hit the southern coast of Jeollanamdo from tonight through the 19th, the provincial government plans to further strengthen its response system with the city and county governments, continuously monitor weather conditions, and do its utmost for proactive response and swift recovery.

Governor Kim reviewed the response situation at the disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters situation room, discussed actions to be taken according to the types of damages, and emphasized, "Every effort must be made to prevent any casualties." He also instructed, "Mobilize all available personnel for on-site response, and strictly adhere to the principle of taking action first and reporting later."

In particular, he stressed, "If a civil complaint is received regarding risk signs during the disaster period, it is essential to ensure that the person who received the complaint checks how it was ultimately handled. Prompt and thorough handling of civil complaints is necessary."

He also noted, "All rivers, from small to large, have been at risk of overflowing," and urged, "Even if the alert level is only at caution, water levels can rise rapidly and become dangerous. Please continue to monitor river levels and establish a system so that nearby residents can evacuate immediately if necessary."

In preparation for this heavy rain, Jeollanamdo implemented preemptive, full-scale controls at 69 areas at risk of flooding, and completed preemptive evacuation measures for 1,902 residents in areas at risk of landslides and river flooding, focusing on proactive measures to prevent casualties.

The provincial government has begun quickly investigating damage by type and region for each city and county, as well as starting emergency repairs and the removal of hazardous elements. At recovery sites, worker safety will be the top priority, and strict access control and adherence to safety regulations will be enforced to prevent secondary accidents.