Seongdong-gu Prepares Special Measures for Vulnerable Residents to Prevent Damage from Summer Heavy Rainfall

Disaster Management Fund of 600 Million Won Allocated to Support Installation of Water Barriers in All Semi-Basement Houses This Year; 189 Households Completed Installation... 'Disaster Vulnerable Household Care Team' Works with Residents to Identify Blind Spots and Secure 47 Temporary Shelters for Evacuation... Last Year, at Least One of Seven Flood and Fire Prevention Facilities Installed in 2,164 Semi-Basement Households

Inspection of the circuit breaker panel

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it has formed a special task force (TF) to prepare for heavy rainfalls caused by abnormal summer weather and has begun securing residential safety for residents in risky dwellings such as semi-basements.

The special task force, composed of six departments and led by the vice mayor, plans to maintain organic cooperation to prevent damage from heavy rain and heatwaves during the summer for residents living in risky dwellings such as semi-basements.

Last year, Seongdong-gu operated a residential safety TF consisting of 13 departments to improve the living environment of semi-basements. They conducted a full survey of 4,777 semi-basement houses in the area and classified them into five risk levels from A+ to D, implementing support projects accordingly.

As a result, flood and fire prevention facilities of seven types (▲water barriers ▲backflow preventers ▲openable security windows ▲flood alarms ▲smart ventilators ▲fire extinguishers ▲fire alarms) were installed in at least one type in a total of 2,164 semi-basement households.

For semi-basement households rated C and D, which were found to be highly risky, vulnerable groups wishing to relocate were assisted in moving to above-ground residences. For elderly households unable to relocate due to circumstances, housing improvement projects were carried out to ensure safety until relocation.

While last year focused on creating a residential environment to prevent flooding accidents, this year the plan is to additionally identify blind spots and provide more thorough support. Accordingly, all semi-basement houses are being actively encouraged to install water barriers (floodgates), and intensive re-inspections are underway.

Since there were cases where homeowners refused to install water barriers when support was provided only to households with a history of flooding?due to concerns such as property value decline?Seongdong-gu has been encouraging installation of water barriers in all semi-basement houses regardless of flooding history since last year. Nevertheless, some semi-basement houses still refuse installation due to aesthetic or other reasons, prompting further persuasion efforts.

Seongdong-gu previously allocated 600 million KRW from the disaster management fund for water barrier installation. Additionally, by establishing a cooperative system with local community centers, they persuaded building owners and tenants reluctant to install water barriers, resulting in 189 households installing them this year. The district supports immediate installation requests not only for new installations but also for replacement of old water barriers.

A newly operated “Disaster Vulnerable Household Care Team,” consisting of residents such as neighborhood leaders and members of professional organizations, patrols semi-basement houses vulnerable to heavy rain, inspecting existing support facilities like water barriers, backflow preventers, and openable security windows. They have established an emergency contact network to ensure rapid communication in emergencies and will make every effort to identify vulnerable households.

Furthermore, 47 temporary housing facilities including local community centers, schools, and private lodging facilities have been secured to prepare for any inconvenience to residents in case of disaster victims caused by heavy rain.

Seongdong-gu will also conduct a survey on rooftop rooms, which are vulnerable housing types. Through the Welfare Safety Council launched last year, on-site surveys will be completed by June, and from July, cooling kits will be provided using private resources to prepare for heatwaves.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “Heavy rainfall is expected this summer, and we are making every effort in cooperation between the public and private sectors to prevent flood damage to residents living in semi-basement houses. We will continue to proactively prepare so that all residents can live in a safe environment free from various climate disasters including heavy rain and heatwaves.”