Record-breaking rain in 80 years but floating raft design keeps Seongdong-gu Yongbi Rest Area intact with no flood damage... Seongdong-gu swiftly restores Cheonggyecheon, Jungnangcheon, and others flooded by record rain
Even amid the flooding of Jungnangcheon due to heavy rain, the 'Yongbi Shelter' sustained no damage thanks to its floating design.
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that despite the Jungnangcheon River overflowing due to the concentrated heavy rain in the metropolitan area starting on the 8th, which submerged the riverside walking paths and bicycle roads, the ‘Yongbi Rest Area’ did not suffer flood damage and swift recovery efforts are underway.
Yongbi Rest Area is a community convenience facility opened in March to provide restrooms and resting spaces for residents using the bicycle paths and walking trails along the Jungnangcheon riverside. It was designed as a floating structure to prevent damage or loss of facilities when the river overflows or water levels rise.
The bottom of the building contains sealed compartments that generate enough buoyancy to support the building’s weight. When water reaches a certain level, the building automatically floats due to buoyancy. Although the building rises with the water, steel pillars anchored on all four edges support it, preventing it from drifting away, and it can withstand heights of up to 9 meters.
The floating design of Yongbi Rest Area proved its safety during this heavy rain, as it suffered almost no flood damage. Following the subsiding of rain in the metropolitan area on the 12th, the surrounding facilities were promptly restored and operations resumed.
Additionally, Seongdong-gu is swiftly restoring areas including Cheonggyecheon, the Han River banks, and the right bank of Jungnangcheon (towards Eungbong and Sageun-dong) as floodwaters recede. Access restrictions are being lifted, facilities are being maintained, and Salgoti Water Playground will reopen from the 14th. These prompt responses aim to minimize residents’ inconvenience.
Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “Amid the record-breaking heavy rain in 80 years and increased discharge from Paldang Dam causing the Jungnangcheon River to overflow and some sections to flood, ironically, the safety of Yongbi Rest Area stood out even more. We will ensure that residents experience no inconvenience in using the riverside and facilities through swift recovery, and as additional rain forecasts continue, we will maintain preparedness to prevent any damage to residents.”
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