286 Residents Evacuated... 278 Cases of Road Flooding, 203 Buildings Inundated
Inspection of Flood Damage and Rapid Emergency Recovery by District
Mayor Kang Holds Disaster Response Meeting After On-Site Inspection
Emergency Level 3 Activated... "All-Out Effort to Minimize Citizen Damage"
Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is inspecting the damage in the Sinan Bridge area of Buk-gu, which was flooded by heavy rain in the afternoon of the 17th, the day with the heaviest rainfall ever recorded. Provided by Gwangju City
On July 17, as Gwangju experienced a record-breaking extreme rainfall of up to 426 mm, resulting in a series of damages, the Gwangju Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held an emergency situation assessment meeting for heavy rain preparedness at 11 p.m., presided over by Mayor Kang Gijeong.
The late-night meeting was attended by Mayor Kang Gijeong, Dong-gu District Chief Lim Taek, Seo-gu District Chief Kim Ikang, Nam-gu District Chief Kim Byungnae, Buk-gu District Chief Moon In, Gwangsan-gu District Chief Park Byungkyu, and officials from relevant departments.
Presiding over the meeting, Mayor Kang stated to the attendees, "During the three hours of on-site inspections prior to this meeting, I met many citizens who were devastated by flooding in their homes, shops, and vehicles. As heavy rain is expected to continue through July 20, please respond urgently to minimize both human and material damage."
The meeting reviewed future weather forecasts, heavy rain preparedness measures and damage reports from each district, resident evacuation situations due to the risk of river flooding, and the current status of road facility controls. The operation of disaster text alerts and early warning systems, as well as the establishment of collaborative response systems for rapid emergency recovery, were also checked.
Particular attention was given to re-examining the implementation of safety measures for areas at risk of casualties, such as underpasses, river flood zones, underground parking lots, landslide-prone areas, construction sites with soil runoff, and steep slopes.
Mayor Kang instructed, "Respond swiftly to prevent further damage, and pay special attention to damage assessments and other efforts to minimize losses for citizens who have already been affected."
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is inspecting the drainage situation and personally removing plastic, vinyl, and other trash blocking the drainage channels while touring the flooded Sinangyo area in Buk-gu on the afternoon of the 17th due to heavy rain. Provided by Gwangju City
Prior to the meeting, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. during heavy rainfall, Mayor Kang inspected the drainage situation at the Nongseong Underpass, Taepyeong Bridge in front of Yangdong Covered Market, and the Sinan Bridge area in Buk-gu, which suffered flood damage.
In particular, at the flood-damaged Sinan Bridge site, he spent about two hours identifying the causes of recurrent flooding and instructed officials to devise countermeasures. He also personally participated in emergency recovery efforts, clearing drainage channels blocked by vinyl, plastic, fallen leaves, and soil. When a resident requested safety measures during the inspection, he immediately called the relevant department to order emergency repairs.
On July 17, when a heavy rain warning was in effect, Gwangju recorded its highest-ever daily rainfall since meteorological observations began, with 426.4 mm in Buk-gu. As of midnight that day, 286 residents (30 in Dong-gu, 27 in Seo-gu, 4 in Nam-gu, 75 in Buk-gu, and 150 in Gwangsan-gu) had evacuated. The fire department responded to a total of approximately 570 incidents, including 278 cases of road flooding, 14 road obstructions, 1 roof at risk of collapse, 203 building floods, 47 rescue operations involving 144 people, and 27 other cases.
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is presiding over the "Heavy Rain Preparedness Situation Assessment Meeting" at 11 p.m. on the 17th in the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting room on the 17th floor of City Hall. Provided by Gwangju City
The city of Gwangju has restricted access to 336 river entry and exit points, 11 riverside parking lots, 37 trails in Mudeungsan National Park, and 7 campsites, totaling 476 sites, and is continuously working to remove fallen leaves and other drainage obstacles.
The city has immediately activated emergency response level 3, with one-third of all staff on duty, and is providing real-time updates on weather conditions and safety guidelines, responding 24 hours a day in cooperation with the five districts. Real-time monitoring via control systems for underpasses and other sites, as well as ongoing road patrols, are being conducted to ensure rapid emergency recovery in the event of damage.
Mayor Kang emphasized, "There is a significant difference between monitoring disaster situations such as river flood zones and flooded roads from the disaster response center and seeing them directly on-site. When you see citizens in danger with your own eyes, you can devise more detailed and immediate countermeasures. Gwangju City will do its utmost to protect the lives and safety of our citizens. I urge all residents to pay close attention to weather updates, refrain from going out, and absolutely avoid rivers and other dangerous areas."
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