Gwangju City Mobilizes Full Response to Rainy Season Disasters Such as Flooding and Landslides

Mayor Kang Gijeong Inspects Flood Prevention Barriers On-Site
Coordination Meeting with Local Government, Meteorological Administration, Fire Department, and Police
Citizen Management System Operates in 34 Vulnerable Areas Including Riverbanks

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong visited the site of the installation of flood prevention water barriers at an apartment complex in Sinan-dong, Buk-gu on the 19th to inspect flood control equipment and surveillance systems in preparation for the rainy season. Photo by Gwangju City

In preparation for the rainy season, Gwangju City is fully mobilizing its disaster response system to ensure the safety of citizens, including the activation of measures against summer natural disasters such as flooding and landslides.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Mayor Kang Gijeong personally visited the site where flood prevention water barriers were being installed at an apartment complex in Sinan-dong, Buk-gu, and conducted a thorough inspection of flood control equipment and surveillance systems.

Mayor Kang emphasized, "With weather anomalies becoming more frequent, advance inspections and swift responses are more important than ever," and added, "We will ensure a summer without casualties to protect the lives and property of our citizens."

Earlier that day, at 10 a.m., a 'Rainy Season Preparedness Coordination Meeting' was held at the City Hall Disaster and Safety Situation Room, presided over by Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Ko Gwangwan, to share the status of disaster preparedness and review the cooperation system among relevant agencies.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 14 disaster management departments of Gwangju City, deputy heads of the five district offices, as well as officials from the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration, Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, and other related organizations.

During the meeting, participants reviewed advance inspections and preventive measures, and shared response plans for actual situations such as heavy rainfall. In particular, they focused on discussing response scenarios to enhance the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation systems.

Since March, the city has been operating a 'Natural Disaster Preparedness Task Force (TF)' to proactively respond to summer natural disasters, and has strengthened on-site inspections in vulnerable areas such as rivers, drainage pump stations, and landslide-prone zones.

The main inspection items include: ▲Comprehensive inspection of 197 areas at risk of casualties ▲On-site inspections of underpasses and underground shopping centers for flood prevention ▲Joint disaster response drills with relevant agencies ▲Advance inspection and maintenance of 113 landslide-prone areas ▲Safety inspections of 95 disaster-vulnerable facilities, 75 large construction sites, and 235 steep slopes in preparation for the rainy season.

Going forward, the city plans to focus on enhancing citizens' disaster response capabilities through electronic display board announcements, promotion of disaster insurance for storm and earthquake damage, and publicizing national action guidelines. In addition, the city is conducting proactive inspections of drainage facilities such as catch basins and rivers, and intensively managing areas vulnerable to flooding.

For prompt response during the rainy season, the city has established an emergency contact system with agencies related to sewerage and rivers, and is implementing flexible personnel management and on-site surveillance activities when weather advisories are issued.

In addition, 55 citizens have been designated as catch basin managers (Citizen Management System) in 34 flood-prone areas, where they check cleanliness during normal times and, during rainfall, remove debris and inspect odor-prevention covers.

Other flood control measures currently being implemented include: ▲Designation of managers for 57 stepping stones ▲Inspection of barriers at riverside walking trails (five rivers) and riverside parking lots (11 locations) ▲Intensive management of 19 flood-prone districts.

In April and May, Gwangju City, together with the district offices, conducted joint inspections of flood control materials and equipment, sewerage facilities in 34 flood-prone areas, and 22 sewerage project sites. In addition, together with the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office, the city inspected the maintenance status of sewer pipelines in seven priority management areas for heavy rainfall.