Jungnang-gu Dredges Rainwater Inlets to Prevent Flood Damage and Create Jobs for Seniors

[Seoul District News] Jungnang-gu Designates Intensive Gutter Dredging Period Until May 15 to Prevent Flooding and Creates Jobs by Employing Elderly Workers for Dredging, Achieving Two Benefits at Once

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) announced on the 12th that it has started dredging storm drains to prevent flood damage.

Storm drains play an important role in safely protecting residents from flood damage by draining rainwater during rainfall.

The district has designated the period until May 15, before the full-scale flood prevention season, as an intensive dredging period for storm drains, planning to remove various debris inside and prepare for the rainy season. To complete 100% dredging of approximately 23,000 storm drains in the area, a total of four dredging operations will be conducted by October this year.

The dredging is carried out by employing local seniors aged 55 and over as temporary workers during the storm drain dredging period to create jobs for the elderly. These workers usually produce and install sandbags for dredging and flood prevention, and during the rainy season, they are responsible for inspecting the condition of storm drains in each neighborhood, removing illegal covers on storm drains, and patrolling sedimentation basins.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “Storm drains, which can be seen everywhere on the streets, may seem like a small part, but they play a major role in flood prevention,” and added, “We ask all residents to become storm drain guardians by carefully reporting any blocked or damaged storm drains so that thorough dredging can prevent flood damage.”

Illegal dumping of various debris such as cigarette butts, gum, and food waste into road storm drains or installing illegal covers on storm drains makes it difficult for rainwater to drain from the roads during rainfall, causing flooding. Additionally, accumulated debris on flooded roads decomposes and causes foul odors. The district is making every effort to manage storm drains to prevent this.

For inquiries related to storm drain dredging or to report damaged or contaminated storm drains, please contact the Flood Control Division of Jungnang-gu Office.