Interior ministry reviews rain response for Aug. 15-17 holiday

The interior ministry said Friday it had convened central and local agencies to review emergency preparations before heavy rain, with more than 150 millimeters forecast for parts of southern South Korea during the Aug. 15-17 holiday.

Rain is expected to begin in southern regions Saturday afternoon and spread to most of the country early Sunday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. More than 150 mm is forecast along the South Gyeongsang coast, near Jirisan and in mountainous parts of Jeju.

Kim Gwang-yong, head of disaster and safety management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, instructed local governments and other agencies to monitor weather conditions throughout the holiday and strengthen their situation-management and reporting systems.

The ministry cited heavy rain on Aug. 8, when rapidly rising water levels in downstream valleys and streams left tourists stranded. "The government will establish an emergency response posture during the holiday and make every effort to prevent casualties by swiftly imposing preemptive controls and evacuating residents when risk signs are detected," Kim said.

Authorities were told to inspect mountain valleys, campsites and coastal areas expected to draw holiday visitors, restricting access or evacuating people if risks emerge. On the coast, agencies were asked to check hazards from heavy rain, strong winds and swells and restrict access to rocky shores and breakwaters.

They were also ordered to monitor flood-prone semi-basement homes and underpasses, and move residents unable to evacuate independently with support from resident evacuation teams. Authorities were asked to step up inspections of steep slopes, landslide-prone areas and places previously hit by disasters, while maintaining storm drains and pumping stations.

"We ask people to refrain from going out during heavy rain and avoid dangerous areas, including landslide-prone zones, riverbanks and underground spaces," Kim said.