"Preventing Heat Wave and Drought Damage"... Haenam County Council Conducts Emergency Inspection

Measures for the Safety of Seniors and Foreign Workers Urged
Securing Agricultural Water Through Emergency Funds and Surface Water Development

The Haenam County Council of South Jeolla Province has joined forces with the county administration to conduct an emergency review in response to the ongoing heat wave and drought conditions.

On July 28, the Haenam County Council announced that it had held an emergency issue briefing session at the Operations Committee Room on the afternoon of July 27 to prepare measures against heat waves and drought.

Haenam County Council held an emergency meeting to prepare measures for the heatwave and drought. Provided by Haenam County Council

This session was urgently convened at the request of the council in order to prevent local damage caused by recent abnormal weather conditions and to review the progress of each department's response. The relevant departments, including the Safety and Transportation Division and the Construction and Urban Division, reported the current situation and held in-depth discussions.

According to the report from the Safety and Transportation Division, as of July 27, there have been three heat-related illness cases in the county (two recovered, one suspected death). The Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has been in operation since 2024 as an emergency response.

The county has strengthened on-site inspections at workplaces and contracting sites, along with providing guidance on observing rest periods based on perceived temperatures. In particular, the county is actively distributing guidance materials in eight languages for foreign workers and is utilizing public announcements via village and street broadcasts.

The Construction and Urban Division presented countermeasures to secure agricultural water supplies in preparation for drought. Currently, the county manages 374 reservoirs, 143 pumping stations, and 323 large-diameter wells, maintaining an average water storage rate of 71%. However, stricter management is being implemented for five reservoirs where the rate has fallen below 30%.

In anticipation of a sharp increase in water demand between late August and early September, when cabbage planting peaks, the county plans to implement a range of water security measures. These include river excavation, installation of temporary pumping facilities, and deployment of emergency reserve funds. During ensuing discussions, council members urged the administration to develop measures that maximize effectiveness on the ground.

For the heat wave issue, the council called for adjustments to working hours for seasonal foreign workers during heat wave periods and education for farmers, installation of shade canopies and provision of ice water at five-day markets, inspection and support for replacement of air conditioners in senior centers, adjustment of senior citizens' access hours to sports facilities, and consideration of expanding citizen safety insurance benefits in the event of heat-related deaths.

Regarding drought, council members pointed out the need for strengthened post-management of abandoned wells left idle after groundwater development. They also emphasized the need to expand initiatives utilizing stream pools and the development of surface water, rather than relying solely on groundwater, to continuously establish a stable water supply infrastructure.

Council Chairperson Min Kyung-mae stated, "Heat waves and droughts are pressing issues directly tied to residents' lives and farm incomes. I urge the administration to closely review the various opinions presented today and to swiftly implement practical, proactive measures, rather than reactive stopgap responses."

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