Sewer Backflow During Spring Tide... Repeated Road Flooding Damage in Incheon

Flooding damage is occurring one after another in Incheon as the spring tide, when the tide height is at its highest, arrives.

According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters on the 4th, around 6:45 a.m. that day, three lanes in the middle of the four-lane road in Gojan-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, were submerged. It was identified that seawater flowed back through the drainage system due to the rise in sea level caused by the spring tide combined with high tide. The fire authorities, upon receiving the report, deployed 18 personnel and 7 pieces of equipment and completed the drainage operation within an hour.

Although no damage reports were received by the fire authorities, parts of the walkway along the Incheon Yeonan Pier coastline and the parking lot of the Coast Guard substation were also partially submerged that morning. Additionally, some wheels of vehicles parked on roads near Yeonan Pier were confirmed to be submerged in seawater.

In Incheon, the day before, parts of the road near Hangdong 7-ga Yeokmuseon Pier in Jung-gu and the entrance to the Soraepogu Fish Market auction hall in Namdong-gu were also partially submerged by seawater. The spring tide refers to the period around the lunar new moon and full moon when the tidal range is the greatest. This full moon spring tide period is from August 2 to 5 and from August 31 to September 3, during which the sea level in Incheon is expected to rise up to 975 cm.

On the 3rd, during the spring tide when the tidal height is at its highest, the road near Yeokmuseon Pier in Hangdong 7-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon, was submerged by backflowing seawater.
[Photo by Incheon Fire Headquarters]

The Incheon Coast Guard has issued a 'caution' under the safety accident risk forecast system from the 2nd to the 6th in preparation for the spring tide. During the spring tide, the difference between high and low tides is much greater than usual, and the water flow is faster, increasing the risk of coastal accidents.

An official from the Incheon Coast Guard stated, "The West Sea is especially dangerous because the tidal range is large and the incoming water speed is fast," adding, "Before going out to sea, people should check the tide times and wear life jackets to exercise caution."

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