Gyeonggi Province is investing 55.7 billion KRW of disaster management funds this year to improve disaster-vulnerable facilities in preparation for natural disasters caused by the climate crisis, and will additionally invest 6.7 billion KRW in the second half of the year to install flood detection alarm devices in underground passages.
On the 18th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it has additionally allocated 6.7 billion KRW of disaster management funds to 295 locations in 15 cities and counties across three areas: ▲relocation of aging underground passage electrical distribution panels to above ground ▲installation of flood detection alarm devices in underground passages ▲disaster warning and alert facilities, to strengthen monitoring and prevention systems against heavy rain and typhoons.
The project to replace and relocate aging electrical distribution panels aims to create an environment where electrical facilities can operate normally even if parts of the underground passage are flooded due to rainwater exceeding the drainage capacity limit. The goal is to ensure the operation of drainage pumps and smooth passage through underground passages even during extreme heavy rain. For example, during the concentrated heavy rain on July 18, the Se-gyo underground passage in Pyeongtaek, which prevented casualties through rapid pre-control, had its electrical distribution panels installed above ground, allowing for early response time and swift recovery during the initial flooding.
Additionally, Gyeonggi Province will install 50 more flood detection alarm devices in underground passages incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology. When the flood detection alarm sounds, the situation is immediately transmitted to the disaster safety situation rooms of Gyeonggi Province and the respective cities and counties, as well as to the responsible officials, enabling prompt action.
Furthermore, 221 additional disaster monitoring CCTVs and automatic voice notification facilities will be installed. These facilities can be linked with village broadcasting systems to disseminate weather information during disasters, facilitating the establishment of a rapid evacuation system.
Gyeonggi Province finalized the target locations to 295 sites in 15 cities and counties including Yongin, Ansan, and Pocheon, after conducting demand surveys in areas omitted in the first half of the year and newly exposed vulnerable areas during heavy rains from June to August.
Earlier, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province stated, "Through this expanded project, rapid dissemination and response to disaster situations will be possible, which will help prevent property damage and casualties among residents. Next year, we will expand the project areas to include landslides and reservoirs, and do our best to create a happy and safe Gyeonggi Province for our residents."
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