Operation Drills at 2,112 Nationwide Drainage Pump Stations... Strengthening On-Site Response Capabilities

Preventing Flood Damage by Timely Operation of Drainage Pump Stations in Preparation for Typhoons and Heavy Rainfall

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 15th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that on the 16th, it will conduct normal operation training for 2,112 drainage pump stations nationwide installed to prevent flood damage in low-lying and frequently flooded areas in preparation for summer typhoons and heavy rains.

This training is designed to simulate summer typhoon and heavy rain situations by operating the drainage pump stations normally to check for any abnormalities in the pump station facilities and to confirm whether the management personnel are familiar with safety regulations. If the drainage pump stations do not operate timely, it can lead to severe flooding damage in adjacent low-lying areas.

The training method involves the Ministry of the Interior and Safety issuing situation messages, and the operation managers from local governments and the Korea Rural Community Corporation responding at the pump stations to quickly operate the drainage pump stations and then report the results. The inspection includes checking the normal operation of major facilities such as drainage pumps, sluice gates, and screens, the maintenance status of retention basins, and the availability of emergency electrical facilities.

In particular, the Ministry plans to dispatch a central inspection team (led by the Ministry’s Disaster Response Policy Officer) to directly verify the operation sites of the drainage pump stations and conduct focused inspections on any negligence or malfunctions in the drainage facilities. Additionally, they will establish an emergency contact system for rapid response in urgent situations and encourage continuous facility inspections.

Choi Bok-su, Director of Disaster Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, “In July last year, the operation of two drainage pump stations in Busan stopped, causing flooding damage to 45 residential units including nearby apartments, 41 commercial and factory buildings, and 120 vehicles.” He added, “We will do our best to manage the drainage pump stations through prior training and inspections to prevent the recurrence of such damage as last year.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.