Interior ministry extends summer water-safety measures into September

The interior ministry said Thursday it would extend summer water-safety measures through Sept. 13, citing forecasts for above-normal temperatures and continued water recreation after the holiday season.

Local governments must reorganize safety-management systems, including safety personnel placement and dedicated-official operations, by Aug. 23.

"We will thoroughly manage water safety with relevant agencies so people can enjoy safe water activities even during September's late heat," Kim Gwang-yong, head of the ministry's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, said.

Officials reviewed worsening drought conditions in southern regions after rainfall shortages. Gyeongnam's reservoir storage rate stood at 33.0 percent, or 46.5 percent of its normal level. Emergency water supplies are being supported by 200 tankers from fire authorities and 62 wildfire-fighting vehicles from forestry authorities, while 270,000 bottles of water are being provided to drought-vulnerable islands and small water-supply facilities. The ministry called on the agriculture ministry and local governments to make wider use of water trucks, portable pumps and reused discharge water.

"Relevant ministries and local governments should respond preemptively to ensure uninterrupted water supplies in areas where drought persists and minimize harm to the public, while continuing to inspect field measures in preparation for renewed heat waves," Kim said.

Officials also reviewed heat-wave responses. Heat-related illnesses totaled 3,382 as of Aug. 11, down 0.4 percent from the same point a year earlier, while people in their 60s or older accounted for about 45.4 percent of cases. The meeting considered distributing cooling supplies to vulnerable residents during fire-service patrols and providing guidance on heat-wave safety practices and cooling shelters.