The government convened an emergency response meeting with related agencies to review its disaster response after heavy rain fell overnight in Sejong, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) said it urgently held the meeting at 7 a.m. on the 9th, presided over by Kim Kwan-yong, head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters.
The meeting came after strong rain of 30 to 50 millimeters per hour continued even following an earlier inter-agency response meeting at 3 a.m. that day, and flood warnings were issued for Sejong and the North Chungcheong cities of Cheongju and Boeun. With heavy rain expected to continue through the 10th, centered on the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, the government focused its review on measures to prevent casualties.
After heavy rain advisories were issued the previous day for Sejong, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces, the government activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) at 12:40 p.m. on the 8th. The CDSCHQ operates in three levels according to the scale of the disaster and the crisis alert level, with Level 1 serving as an initial response posture typically activated when the crisis alert is at the "caution" level.
"As additional heavy rain is falling, if even the smallest risk is detected, actively deploy the resident evacuation support teams and evacuate residents preemptively," Kim stressed. "Actively inform the public about situations such as underpass and road closures during the morning commute, and pay special attention to the safety of personnel in charge of resident evacuation support, inspections and patrols."
The ministry also urged the public to refrain from entering riverside areas, underground spaces and low-lying areas, as heavy rain is forecast through the 10th, and to frequently check weather information and disaster safety notices.
