Gwangju Bukgu Residents Anxious Over Rain Sounds... Urge Short-Term Flood Measures

Concerns Raised Over Focus on Mid- to Long-Term Plans
“Worried About a Typhoon in September”
Calls for Immediate Action Grow
Residents Propose Drainage, Dredging, and Retaining Wall Repairs
Environmental Group: “Implementation, Not Planning, Is the Issue”
District Mayor Moon In: “Short-Term Measures Will Minimize Damage”

"Now, I feel so anxious that I can't even sleep when I hear the sound of rain."

At the 'Flood Prevention Measures Resident Briefing' held at Gwangju Bukgu Office on the 19th, Moon Jongjun, Vice Chairman of the Shinandong Flood Damage Countermeasures Committee, expressed these concerns. Around 150 residents who suffered flood damage from two episodes of extreme heavy rain last month repeatedly called on the local government to come up with short-term measures during the briefing.

At the 'Flood Prevention Measures Resident Briefing' held at Gwangju Bukgu Office, District Mayor Moonin is explaining the measures to the residents. Photo by Song Bohyun

During the briefing, Bukgu District explained 10 ongoing projects, such as the installation of stormwater retention facilities, as well as 12 proposed projects, including comprehensive improvement projects for areas vulnerable to storm and flood damage. The main focus was on mid- to long-term measures such as improving the flow of Seobangcheon Stream, Gwangjucheon Stream, and the Yeongsangang River, large-scale dredging, and expanding pump capacity.

However, residents pointed out that there are not enough measures in place to deal with imminent heavy rainfall. Anxiety was palpable at the scene, with some expressing concern that "there are reports of a typhoon in September, but we don't know when it will hit." One resident said, "Talking only about preparations for the future feels vague. Please clearly state by when you can implement these measures." There were also complaints about insufficient communication with the countermeasures committee.

Ko Youngbeom, who runs a business on Gongguui Street, said, "If drainage at Gwangamgyo Bridge is smooth, flood damage will be reduced," and requested, "Please install pumps above ground and set up a system to discharge water along the overpass." Other residents suggested specific measures such as dredging the Yeongsangang River, removing aquatic plants, and repairing retaining walls.

Location map of 22 urban flood prevention projects for extreme heavy rain response prepared by Bukgu, Gwangju. Provided by Bukgu.

Bukgu District announced that it would also work on short-term measures. District Mayor Moon In said, "We are actively conveying the need for short-term measures to Gwangju City, the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation," adding, "We will do our best to minimize damage from typhoons and heavy rain based on residents' opinions."

In relation to this, Kim Jongpil, Director of the Ecological City Department at Gwangju Environmental Federation, pointed out in an interview with our newspaper that the causes of this flooding were the climate crisis and the limitations of urban infrastructure.

He said, "Flooding is the result of a combination of factors: concentrated heavy rain, insufficient infrastructure such as sewage and stormwater pipes, lack of implementation of existing plans, and an increase in impermeable surfaces due to apartment development in upstream areas." He emphasized, "Rather than creating new plans, the solution is to properly implement already established comprehensive plans for reducing natural disasters in Gwangju."