Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday ordered government agencies to maintain emergency readiness and ensure public safety as heavy rainfall is forecast to hit central parts of the country starting early Saturday.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, strong rain accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning is expected across the Seoul metropolitan area, the eastern province of Gangwon and the central Chungcheong region from early Saturday, with hourly precipitation of 30-50 millimeters.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook instructed relevant authorities to strengthen safety measures and review evacuation systems, warning that recent rainfall heightens the risk of landslides, rockfalls, retaining wall collapses and other accidents. She also called for preemptive safety measures for tourists and campers during the summer vacation season.
Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung convened a meeting with relevant agencies and ordered the preemptive activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The Agriculture Ministry held an emergency meeting Friday to review measures to prepare for heavy monsoon rains and minimize damage to the agricultural sector.
