Interior ministry strengthens response to worsening southern drought

The interior ministry said Friday it would strengthen drought measures in southern regions after scant rainfall drove the water-storage rate in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, to 33.9 percent of its usual level.

Drought has intensified in South Jeolla Province, Gwangju and South Gyeongsang Province. Concern that the drought could be prolonged led the ministry to raise the task force's leadership from its director general for disaster management policy to the head of its disaster and safety management headquarters. The task force had monitored warning signs and reviewed sector-specific measures. The Southern Region Drought Response Team will be led by the ministry's director general for natural disasters and include central ministries, the weather agency, fire service, forest service and affected local governments.

"As a drought lasts longer, it is most important to provide the resources needed on the ground in a timely manner," Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung said.

Using the government's KRMS disaster-resource management system, the team will identify water trucks, pumps and other equipment held by public bodies and work with national disaster-management logistics companies to transport supplies to affected southern areas. Local governments nationwide have been asked to send drought-response resources south, while agencies needing equipment can seek it through KRMS. The team will urge local governments to quickly deploy available funding, including disaster-safety special grants, for water-supply measures and promote campaigns encouraging voluntary water conservation.