[Metro24] Seoul City to Prepare Flood Control Measures Looking 100 Years Ahead

Seoul City Public-Private Experts Collaborate to Thoroughly Analyze Flood Control Measures Over the Past Decade and Advise Careful Preparation of Both Hardware and Software Countermeasures

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] It was exactly four years ago. On July 1, 2018, the first day of the 7th local government term, Seoul was flooded. Newly elected district mayors of Seoul could not even hold proper inauguration ceremonies. They had to rush to the flooded sites.

This time, even heavier rain poured down. It was a downpour not seen in 80 years. Around 9 p.m. on the 8th, Dongjak-gu received 141.5mm of rain per hour, earning the nickname "waterfall." Around Gangnam Station, passenger cars were floating.

Low-lying areas such as Dongjak-gu, Seocho-gu, Gangnam-gu, and Yeongdeungpo-gu suffered significant damage. There were also tragic casualties in semi-basement houses.

Flood damage caused by abnormal weather is gradually increasing. Thorough preparation for this is necessary.

On the 9th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a mid- to long-term flood prevention plan focusing on constructing deep underground rainwater storage and drainage facilities. The government and the ruling party held a party-government meeting on the 10th and decided to install large-scale deep underground rainwater storage facilities in low-lying areas such as Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On the morning of the 17th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and 25 autonomous districts will hold a Seoul District Mayors' Council meeting to prepare measures for the recent heavy rain damage.

It is now time to fundamentally review Seoul's flood control measures. However, the problem is the budget. While considering the construction of deep underground tunnels, soft measures such as establishing a heavy rain warning system and a caretaker system for residents in semi-basement homes should also be prepared. A disaster prevention expert who previously held a senior position in the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, "Rainfall of about 110mm per hour seems likely to occur frequently," and added, "After thoroughly analyzing the problems of the flood control measures Seoul has implemented over the past 10 years, fundamental measures should be prepared." He also advised, "Do not rush to conclusions." This sounded like a warning that even in urgent situations, hasty or sloppy measures should not be taken.

Jong-il Park, Senior Reporter, Local Government Team