S. Korea's PM Orders Emergency Readiness as Heavy Rain Forecast

SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday ordered government agencies to maintain emergency readiness and take all necessary measures to 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. Rainfall intensity is expected to reach up to 80 mm per hour in some areas, including the greater Seoul area, it added. Han 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, the prime minister's office said. "The areas that suffered flooding during previous heavy rain should undergo emergency inspections to ensure they are not hit again, and all necessary measures should be taken to secure public safety," Han said. She also called for preemptive safety measures for tourists and campers, noting that the expected downpours coincide with the summer vacation season and a holiday period. Noting that overnight rainfall could make timely evacuations difficult, Han ordered local governments to promptly issue evacuation guidance through emergency text alerts and local broadcasting systems when heavy rain or landslide warnings are issued. Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung convened a meeting with relevant agencies and ordered the preemptive activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, according to his office. Yun instructed the dispatch of on-site situation managers to nine cities and provinces expected to be affected by the heavy rain and called for thorough preventive measures, including access restrictions and evacuations in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides, it added.