26,000 Tons Poured, But Hopes Rest on Weekend Rain

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In the South Gyeongsang Province region, firefighting vehicles from across the country were mobilized due to severe drought continuing for a third day. Even though 26,000 tons of water were sprayed onto fields and paddies, it fell short of resolving the drought, leaving farmers desperately hoping for sufficient rain during this holiday period.

Reporting by Kim Su-yun.

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Amid scorching heat soaring up to 34°C (93°F) in the middle of the day, firefighters traveled across five areas in South Gyeongsang Province designated with a "severe" drought stage, including Miryang, to supply 7,200 tons of agricultural water.

[Jang Min-ho / Yongin Fire Station, Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters: Even if the national firefighting mobilization order is extended, I hope residents can return to normal lives just a day sooner....]

The water sprayed from the fire engines is truly like a long-awaited rain during a drought.

[Ryu Jung-man / Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province: I am especially grateful to the firefighters who are working so hard. I feel so sorry that they cannot even go home, coming from afar.]

As the national firefighting mobilization order was extended, 100 out of the 200 fire engines gathered from across the country remained in the South Gyeongsang Province region.

South Gyeongsang Province's own 59 fire vehicles, along with local governments, volunteer groups, and both the public and private sectors, are joining forces.

[Kim Dong-in / Miryang Fire Station, South Gyeongsang Headquarters: People have come from far away not only from Gyeonggi Province but also Gangwon Province, and seeing grandfathers and grandmothers come and express their gratitude makes me feel more fulfilled.]

The cumulative amount of water sprayed on the fields of South Gyeongsang Province over three days reached 26,000 tons, but it is far from enough to alleviate the long-term drought.

You can see a bit of moisture in the fields thanks to the water sprayed by the fire engines.

However, traces of the drought remain, with the ground split open in various places.

With up to 150 mm of rain forecasted for the Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang regions during the Liberation Day holiday, farmers are eagerly hoping that this rain will thoroughly and evenly soak the cracked and parched earth.

[Ryu Su-gon / Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province: It definitely has to rain. It needs to rain. It would be so wonderful if it rains.]

The National Fire Agency plans to decide whether to lift the national firefighting mobilization order by considering future weather conditions.

(Video by Jeong Kyeong-mun)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.