Sillim Rainwater Storage Tank and Yeomgok-dongseo Underpass Inspected
Flood Prevention Facilities Checked for Operation... "Thorough Preparation"
Underpass Vehicle Entry-Blocking Systems to Be Completed by June
On June 18, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehun conducted inspections of flood prevention facilities ahead of the official start of the monsoon season. During the visit, Mayor Oh urged for thorough preparations to minimize flood damage and emphasized the need to prevent similar disasters from recurring.
That morning, Mayor Oh visited the 'Sillim Public Bus Garage Rainwater Storage Tank Site' near Dorimcheon, which began operation of its storage tank in May, followed by a visit to the 'Yeomgok-dongseo Underpass' in Seocho District.
The large-scale 'Sillim Public Bus Garage Rainwater Storage Tank,' located upstream of Dorimcheon, is designed to temporarily store 35,000 tons of rainwater to prevent flooding of Dorimcheon during heavy rainfall. After completing electrical and mechanical equipment installation, the storage tank began operation in May. The complex structure consists of a public bus garage on the ground and first basement levels, and a high-capacity rainwater storage tank on the second basement level. On site, Mayor Oh inspected the readiness of the storage system, the operational status of pump facilities, and the management of the automatic control system.
Mayor Oh then moved to the Yeomgok-dongseo Underpass in Seocho District to check the operational status of the automatic vehicle entry-blocking system, which is activated during heavy rainfall. The entry-blocking facility is a core system that automatically restricts vehicle access in the event of flooding to prevent loss of life and property damage. The necessity and importance of such facilities have increased since the Osong Underpass accident in 2023.
Among Seoul’s underpasses, a total of 95 locations are designated for the installation of entry-blocking systems. Although the original target for completion was 2033, the city has decided to complete all installations by June this year, moving the timeline up by eight years for citizens’ safety. On site, Mayor Oh checked the readiness of the entry-blocking facilities, water level detection systems, and drainage pump systems, and received reports from officials on operational protocols and response plans. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of strict management and thorough prevention measures, including the four-person management system for each underpass?consisting of two maintenance agency staff, one member of the voluntary disaster prevention team, and one police officer?which is activated from the heavy rain advisory stage.
Meanwhile, to prevent underpass flooding in advance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is operating a mobile inspection team during the storm and flood season. The team regularly cleans debris such as fallen leaves from storm drains and drainage channels, and conducts focused inspections of catch basins, screens, and underground electrical facilities (power distribution panels) in underpasses.
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