Interior ministry convenes joint meeting on drought-risk areas

The interior ministry said Thursday it convened a joint meeting after rain from Aug. 15 to 17 failed to ease drought conditions in some areas.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety brought together relevant government agencies, local authorities and water-management bodies. The meeting followed an Aug. 14 joint drought-preparedness task force review. Participants assessed regional rainfall and storage levels at major dams and reservoirs and examined water-supply measures.

Officials discussed reducing water-use charges in drought areas, streamlining permits to use river water and classifying electrical work for well development as emergency construction. They also heard agencies' difficulties in responding to drought and discussed cooperation measures.

The government will continue monitoring dams and reservoirs with low storage, including Seomjin River Dam, while considering alternative water sources for potential agricultural shortages. It plans supply-management and conservation measures including developing wells, operating pumping equipment, delivering water and promoting water-saving campaigns.

“We will continue to work closely with relevant ministries to closely monitor drought conditions nationwide and proactively manage drought-risk areas, and will make every effort to minimize harm to the public,” Kim Yong-gyun, director general for natural disasters at the interior ministry, said.