PM calls for readiness against heavy downpours

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called Tuesday for all-out measures to minimize damage from ongoing heavy downpours, his office said. Han instructed relevant ministries and local governments to strengthen monitoring of homes in sparsely populated mountainous areas, among others, and immediately evacuate residents at the slightest sign of danger, his office said in a press release. Heavy rainfall of up to 103.5 millimeters per hour pounded parts of South Jeolla Province overnight, according to the state weather agency. Han noted the central regions are forecast to receive rain of up to 70 mm per hour starting late Tuesday and instructed officials to open the floodgates of dams when necessary while sharing related information in real time to prevent damage to downstream regions. Source: Yonhap News Agency