Presiding Over Situation Assessment Meeting... Inspecting Disaster Sites and High-Risk Areas
Proactive Response to Rivers, Underpasses, and Flood-Prone Zones... "Emergency Level 2"
Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, attended the heavy rain special report situation assessment meeting held at the city hall disaster situation room on the morning of the 17th. After receiving a report on the damage areas, he urged thorough preparation to do his best to protect the lives and property of citizens. Provided by Gwangju City
On July 17, amid a weather advisory warning of heavy rainfall exceeding 80 mm per hour, the Gwangju City government, led by Mayor Kang Kijeong, convened an emergency situation assessment meeting and conducted on-site inspections of major disaster-prone areas, making every effort to protect the lives and property of citizens.
That morning, Mayor Kang held the emergency situation assessment meeting at the city hall disaster situation room, receiving reports from each department and district on the current rainfall status and emergency response system operations. He instructed preemptive measures to prepare for all possibilities.
He paid particular attention to the following: ▲ whether access roads to rivers and riverside parking lots were being controlled ▲ inspections of storm drains and rainwater pipes in low-lying areas ▲ preparation for areas with a history of flooding ▲ the status of underpass controls ▲ and safety management at construction sites.
Mayor Kang requested, "Please continue to check whether all access roads to rivers and riverside parking lots are fully controlled, and whether any storm drains or covers in low-lying areas are blocked by fallen leaves or other debris that could hinder drainage."
He also ordered immediate on-site checks and actions in areas where flooding was reported, such as near Gwangcheon Intersection and the road in front of Kia Motors. He further directed thorough inspections of sections prone to habitual flooding, including the route from Nongseong Station to the department store and from Baegun Intersection to Daeseong Elementary School.
Mayor Kang reiterated, "Since a warning level is in effect and even heavier rain is expected from the 18th, do not let your guard down and ensure thorough management of the situation."
As of now, the city has completed control of a total of 463 sites, including 57 stepping stone bridges, 336 river access roads, and 11 riverside parking lots, and continues to remove drainage obstacles such as fallen leaves. In addition, the city is conducting on-site checks and taking action in areas with habitual flooding, including Gwangcheon Intersection, the road in front of Kia Motors, the section from Nongseong Station to the department store, and from Baegun Intersection to Daeseong Elementary School.
Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, attended the heavy rain special report situation assessment meeting held at the city hall disaster situation room on the morning of the 17th. After receiving a report on the damage areas, he urged thorough preparation to do his best to protect the lives and property of citizens. Provided by Gwangju City
The city also inspected the automatic closure systems installed at underpasses. The inspection confirmed that all 15 underpasses equipped with automatic closure systems were operating normally. These systems are automatically activated by sensors that detect danger, and can also be operated manually from the situation room via real-time CCTV monitoring. The mayor also instructed measures to prevent soil erosion at construction sites, including those under the private park special project.
As of 3 p.m. on July 17, a heavy rain warning was in effect, with up to 200 mm of additional rainfall forecast through July 20. Significant rainfall was recorded across Gwangju, including 203.5 mm in Pungam-dong, Seo-gu, and 121.5 mm in Yonggok-dong, Gwangsan-gu. The city is carrying out emergency responses to prevent river flooding and flood damage.
The city has switched to "Emergency Level 2" operations, with 361 personnel on duty, and is providing citizens with real-time updates on weather conditions and safety guidelines via disaster text messages and electronic display boards. The city also plans to flexibly adjust emergency response levels according to future weather changes and will continue to make every effort to minimize damage in the event of further heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Gwangju City is conducting an urgent safety inspection of storm drains to prevent urban flooding and ensure citizen safety during the summer rainy season.
The city is focusing on verifying whether inspections and cleaning of sewer facilities such as storm drains are being carried out according to the sewer maintenance plan, whether illegal covers have been installed, and whether related budgets are being executed promptly and appropriately.
Additionally, since May, the city has been reviewing the results of storm drain blockage complaints reported by citizens and safety monitors via the "Safety Sinmungo" system, and is also inspecting the execution of special disaster safety grant funds.
Gwangju City has installed fall-prevention facilities on 1,055 manholes in disaster-prone areas such as riverbanks and habitual flooding zones, and, in cooperation with district offices, plans to install an additional 779 by September.
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