Muan-gun Immediately Collects Trash Floated Down the Yeongsan River Right After Flood Damage

Published 09 Jul.2021 15:01(KST)

Proactive Response to Flood Waste During Monsoon Season... Collection of Floating Debris in a 15km Section of the Lower Yeongsan River

Floating debris in a 15 km section of the lower Yeongsan River is being collected immediately after the flood damage. (Photo by Muan-gun)

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Muan County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim San) is swiftly responding to alleviate residents' inconvenience by collecting flood debris brought in from the upper reaches of the Yeongsan River due to the recent heavy rains.

According to the county on the 9th, as trash from the upper Yeongsan River was pushed downstream to the lower reaches due to the heavy rains that began on the 3rd during the monsoon season, emergency heavy equipment was deployed along a 15 km stretch from Isan-ri, Mongtan-myeon to Namak-ri, Samhyang-eup to collect floating debris.

The floating debris consists of household waste such as Styrofoam and vinyl materials, as well as branches and aquatic plants. It forms long bands that flow downstream and are pushed onto riverbanks when the water level drops.

If the debris is left unattended, it decomposes due to high temperature and humidity, causing severe odors and secondary pollution, so it must be collected and disposed of promptly.

Therefore, before the full onset of the monsoon season, the county prepared budgets in advance for debris collection to prepare for disasters and environmental pollution. Moving forward, they plan to actively request national government support for debris disposal costs to prevent damage caused by waste.

Governor Kim San stated, “Thanks to thorough prior preparations, we were able to collect the debris that floated down the Yeongsan River immediately after the flood. We will do our best to collect debris so that residents do not experience inconvenience and create a pleasant living environment.”

Meanwhile, Muan County has become a model case for other regions through proactive administration, having collected 7,700 tons of debris massively inflowed from the upper Yeongsan River due to heavy rains last year as well.