Two Episodes of Extreme Heavy Rain Flood Juwol 2-dong Alleyways
Residents: "Stormwater Pipes from Central Park Project Increased Runoff"
Construction Company: "Cannot Be the Cause... Design Change Is a Burden"
On the 6th, an alley in Juwol 2-dong, Nam-gu, was damaged due to flooding caused by recent extreme heavy rain, resulting in road destruction. Photo by Min Chanki
Following two episodes of extreme heavy rain in the Gwangju area, which left visible scars throughout the city, there is growing debate in Juwol 2-dong, Nam-gu, regarding the cause of the recent flooding damage.
Residents claim that the ongoing Central Park District 2 project in the neighborhood has increased the amount of stormwater by installing additional stormwater pipes connected to the existing culvert, which led to flooding in the alleyways. In contrast, the construction company insists that the installation of stormwater pipes cannot be the cause of the increased runoff, maintaining a conflicting stance.
According to Gwangju City and Nam-gu on the 6th, the current progress rate of the Central Park District 2 construction, which stretches 592,805 square meters from Pungam-dong, Seo-gu, through Juwol-dong, Nam-gu, stands at about 70%. The construction company is installing stormwater pipes by dividing the area into three sections: A, B, and C. The Central Park District 2 project is scheduled to be completed in the first half of next year.
The issue is that the stormwater pipes for Areas A and B in Central Park District 2, which the construction company is installing, are each connected to the existing sewage pipes in nearby Juwol 2-dong. This has resulted in additional water flowing into the residential area, causing repeated flooding.
Previously, in November last year, the construction company held a public hearing to explain the stormwater pipe installation plan to residents. According to the plan at that time, the stormwater pipe in Area A would be connected to the alleyways in the Juwol 2-dong residential area, while the pipe in Area B would be connected to the existing culvert running under Bongju Elementary School. For this reason, residents of Juwol 2-dong have continued to oppose the plan, arguing that a large volume of water could flow into the relatively low-lying residential area, leading to flooding.
Additionally, residents argue that if the stormwater pipe in Area B were connected to the culvert near a hospital located on a nearby hill, it would be possible to regulate the runoff. As a result, the stormwater pipe construction has remained at a standstill until recently, as no compromise has been reached between the residents and the construction company.
(From the left) On the 6th, the construction company of Central Park District 2 prepared the foundation work on the road to install the stormwater pipe in Area A. The construction company of Central Park District 2 broke the wall to connect the stormwater pipe in Area B to the culvert running under Bongju Elementary School. Photo by Min Chanki
On the 17th, when extreme heavy rain fell, a large amount of rainwater flowed along the road where foundation work had been done for the installation of the stormwater pipes, causing flooding up to ankle height in both Bongju Elementary School and the Juwol 2-dong residential area. Sediment flowed into the alleys of Juwol 2-dong, and roads were damaged in several places. Nam-gu decided to prioritize measures such as changing the alignment of old or perpendicularly installed pipelines in Juwol 2-dong, which have weak water pressure.
A resident, Mr. Kim (Juwol-dong, Nam-gu), said, "There had never been any flooding in this area before, but after the Central Park District 2 project began, the water suddenly reached ankle level. If the water coming from Central Park District 2 is the cause, does that mean we will continue to suffer from flooding in the future?"
Despite the flooding caused by the heavy rain, it has been confirmed that the construction company has recently resumed work, adhering to the original design.
The construction company maintains that it can control runoff by installing retention tanks, and that altering the design of the Area B stormwater pipe as suggested by residents would incur additional costs of several billion won. The company also explained that the Central Park District 2 project does not increase runoff, and that the recent flooding was simply due to the unusually heavy rainfall.
A representative of the construction company stated, "The area where we plan to install the stormwater pipe requires covering the sidewalk blocks, which raises concerns about burial by rainwater, so we are carrying out maintenance work. If we change the design of the Area B stormwater pipe as the residents wish, we estimate that it would cost an additional 4 to 5 billion won, which puts us in a difficult situation."
Regarding this, a Nam-gu official explained, "To proceed with the stormwater pipe construction, a construction commencement report must be filed. However, since no agreement has been reached with the residents, no such report has been submitted, and no additional construction is taking place. Due to the geographical characteristics of this area, water naturally flows into the alleys. According to the findings of a consulting firm, it is difficult to conclude that the Central Park District 2 project is the cause of increased runoff. However, as heavy rain continues to occur, we are making efforts to accurately determine the cause."
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