Designation unlocks additional state funding, utility fee reductions and other recovery support for affected residents

A stream in Honggong-ri, Baengsu-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, overflows after heavy rainfall on Aug. 31. [Provided by the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Fire Department]
A stream in Honggong-ri, Baengsu-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, overflows after heavy rainfall on Aug. 31. [Provided by the South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Fire Department]

The government declared Baengsu-eup in Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla-Gwangju Integrated Special City, a special disaster zone Friday, citing damage caused by torrential rains that struck the area from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

The downpours dumped up to 107.5 millimeters of rain per hour and a cumulative 579.5 millimeters on Yeonggwang-gun, flooding homes and farmland and causing significant damage to roads and waterways.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety conducted a joint central investigation from Sunday through Wednesday, confirming that Baengsu-eup met the criteria for a special disaster zone designation.

Areas designated as special disaster zones receive additional central government funding to cover a portion of recovery costs that would otherwise fall on local governments.

Affected residents will also receive disaster relief payments along with indirect support measures, including deferred national and local tax payments and reductions in public utility fees.

"We pursued the special disaster zone declaration to provide comprehensive support to the residents and communities affected by this heavy rain," Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung said. "We will draw up a swift recovery plan and execute the recovery budget so that affected residents can return to their daily lives as soon as possible."


thlee@heraldcorp.com