[Report] Gangnam Station Fortified with Sandbags, Like a Battlefield...

Gangnam Station Exit 11 Sewage Backflow on the 1st
Temporary Repairs with Sandbags
Traffic Volume Decreases Due to Vacation Season and Congestion Concerns
No Expected Morning Rush Hour Congestion

The scene of Exit 11 at Gangnam Station, Seoul, where a backflow accident occurred on the 1st.

[Asia Economy Reporters Yoo Byung-don and Jung Dong-hoon] "It's unsettling that water poured into a subway station where tens of thousands of people pass through every day, especially early in the morning."

On the morning of the 3rd, office worker Seo Hye-ryeong (34), whom we met in front of Exit 11 of Gangnam Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, said this. On the afternoon of the 1st, a manhole near this area overflowed with backflowed sewage, causing the cover to open and 50 cm high muddy water to pour out, flooding the area. Some parts of Gangnam Station experienced inconvenience for citizens due to the water pouring underground, and some cars with tires submerged in rainwater had to drive through the water flow.

◆ Citizens’ anxiety remains over 'temporary' sandbag installation = Currently, dozens of sandbags are stacked in a mound shape near the manhole where the backflow occurred. They are blocking water from overflowing onto the sidewalk in the direction of the heavily trafficked Exit 11. However, since this measure is temporary, there are concerns that if it rains again and water levels rise, water will overflow onto sidewalks and roads.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that more than 200 mm of rain will fall in the Seoul metropolitan area and central regions by tomorrow. Three to five restoration company workers are on site preparing for sudden heavy rain. A restoration company official said, "By stacking sandbags, the risk of water overflowing onto sidewalks or underground has been reduced."

The flooding around Gangnam Station is not the first time. Due to the low-lying terrain, it also turned into a waterlogged area during localized heavy rains in 2010 and 2011. A Gangnam District Office official said, "The underground area of Exit 11 is where two sewage pipes converge," adding, "The increased sewage from heavy rain gathered here and broke through the manhole."

Because of this, citizens are expressing anxiety. Kim Ho-young (47), who works at a nearby store, said, "Is it normal to worry about flooding in the heart of Gangnam?" and criticized, "Even though the city and district offices have carried out several construction works to prevent flood damage, this kind of incident keeps repeating."

Although heavy rain in the metropolitan area continued from the weekend, causing expected inconvenience for commuters on the first workday of August, fortunately, no major disruptions occurred. It is interpreted that this was because it was vacation season and many roads were closed due to rising water levels in the Han River, leading commuters to use public transportation.

◆ No feared traffic congestion = Around 8 a.m. that day at the northern end of Banpo Bridge in Seoul, the area was relatively quiet, unlike usual congestion caused by vehicles heading to Banpo Bridge and Jamsu Bridge. It took less than a minute to cross Banpo Bridge around 8 a.m. Although traffic volume increased as time passed, the feared morning rush hour congestion did not occur. Nearby Dongjak Bridge and Hannam Bridge also experienced smooth traffic flow.

It is analyzed that citizens, anticipating a commuting chaos, used public transportation rather than cars, greatly reducing confusion. Jung Woo-je (34), whom we met at Gangnam Station, said, "I took the subway to work after seeing news that many roads in Seoul would be closed," adding, "Most of my colleagues also seem to prefer the subway or bus over cars."

However, on the morning commute, Olympic-daero and Gangbyeonbuk-ro were smoother than usual but showed some congestion. Also, near sections where traffic was fully restricted, vehicle traffic was blocked. At Wolgye 1 Bridge on Jungnangcheon Stream, the water level exceeded the vehicle restriction level of 15.83 m, leading to traffic control on the access roads near Wolgye 1 Bridge. Traffic was also restricted from Seongdong Junction to Changdong Bridge toward Uijeongbu and from Surak to Jangan Bridge toward Seongsu. The traffic control on Olympic-daero (both directions) between Yeoui Sangryu IC and Yeoui Haryu IC, which had been lifted since 1:40 a.m., was reinstated between 7:33 a.m. and 7:35 a.m. The entrance of Jamsu Bridge, where vehicle traffic had been restricted since the previous afternoon, was completely submerged in water.

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