Jeonnam Province Focuses on Landslide Prevention Amid Sudden Summer Downpours

Operation of Situation Room Until October 15
Comprehensive Inspections and On-Site Measures Completed in At-Risk Areas
145 New Vulnerable Areas Designated This Year
Evacuation System Established for 10,490 Residents

Jeonnam Province will operate a landslide response situation room until October 15. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province will operate a landslide response situation room until October 15 to prepare for landslide disasters during the summer season, dedicating all efforts to protecting residents' lives and minimizing property damage.

Jeonnam Province predicts a 40% probability that this summer's precipitation will be similar to or higher than average, and will therefore operate the landslide response situation room together with 22 cities and counties. In particular, the province plans to implement emergency duty according to each stage of the landslide crisis alert, monitor weather advisories, ensure prompt evacuation of residents based on landslide prediction information, and carry out emergency restoration of landslide-damaged areas.

So far, Jeonnam Province has conducted two rounds of comprehensive inspections of 2,346 landslide-prone areas and 2,018 other areas at risk of landslides, such as mountain development sites, and has completed on-site measures at 469 locations. Facility reinforcement is underway at 105 sites.

Additionally, the province plans to complete restoration before the rainy season to prevent secondary damage at nine landslide-damaged sites covering 3.2 hectares from last year.

The province also plans to complete preventive erosion control projects early, focusing on landslide-prone areas, including 111 sabo dams and 42 stream conservation sites, for a total of 201 locations.

Jeonnam Province has newly designated 145 areas with a high risk of landslides as landslide-prone zones and established an evacuation system for 7,490 households and 10,490 residents.

The province is analyzing information and conducting on-site inspections at 19,679 parcels identified as debris flow risk areas and areas with artificial changes. Locations found to have high risk factors will be designated and managed as areas with potential for human casualties.

This year, Jeonnam Province will identify residents who live alone in the mountains and those living near recently changed environments, such as newly developed mountain areas, to eliminate safety blind spots. The province will also operate 1,782 village safety guardians to strengthen proactive landslide response, including initial actions in the event of heavy rainfall.

Park Jongpil, Director of the Environment and Forest Bureau of Jeonnam Province, stated, "Landslides pose a high risk of causing multiple casualties and property damage, so proactive prevention and response are most important." He urged, "I hope all residents will familiarize themselves with the national landslide action guidelines and actively cooperate by promptly evacuating according to emergency disaster messages and broadcast instructions in the event of a landslide risk."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.