Safe Operation of Seoul Subway Amid Worst Heavy Rain, Seoul Metro Praised for Successful Response

Seoul Metro, All-Out Effort to Restore Flood-Damaged Stations Including Subway Line 7 Isu Station...Minimizing Heavy Rain Damage and Normalizing Train Operations through Rapid Response Based on Disaster Recovery System...Mayor Oh Se-hoon Visits Isu Station Site and Praises Swift Restoration

Flooded interior of Isu Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Due to record-breaking heavy rainfall in 80 years causing road flooding and overflow, unprecedented situations occurred where passenger cars were floating as stations such as Sadang Station, Isu Station, Gangnam Station, and Seocho Station in Seoul were completely submerged.

As a result, rainwater entered some subway stations and tracks, causing a total of 45 concentrated and short-term disruptions including station leaks and elevator shutdowns, leading to inconvenience for subway passengers.

However, through the proactive on-site restoration measures by Seoul Metro (President Kim Sang-beom), the first train on the 9th operated normally, and the flooded electrical room was swiftly temporarily restored by 10 p.m. on the 9th, receiving positive evaluations.

◆Crisis Response Capability of Seoul Metro with 50 Years of History Shines

This is regarded as the result of the crisis response capability of Seoul Metro, which has a 50-year history.

Seoul Metro proactively extended subway operations on Lines 1 to 8 by 30 minutes in advance of the heavy rain to minimize passenger inconvenience.

In particular, with a systematic restoration system established through regular disaster preparedness emergency response drills simulating real situations, they worked hard to ensure normal train operations by responding quickly and accurately according to the on-site action manual even in the sudden situation of rainwater entering the stations.

Especially, Isu Station on Line 7, which suffered severe flood damage, experienced rainwater inflow from the external entrance to the concourse, platform, and tracks around 9:10 p.m. on the 8th, resulting in temporary non-stop train passage.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (right) visits the flooded site at Isu Station subway, being guided by Kim Seong-ryeol, Head of Technology Division at Seoul Metro, as they head to the scene. (Photo by Seoul Metro)

◆Mayor Oh Se-hoon Visits Flooded Isu Station Subway Site, Praises Restoration Efforts

Mayor Oh Se-hoon also visited the site, received a report from Kim Seong-ryeol, Head of Technical Headquarters of Seoul Metro, and praised the quick restoration, saying, “The recovery was fast. Well done.” before leaving.

The Technical Headquarters of Seoul Metro implemented measures to prevent secondary damage by promptly deploying staff and sealing the floodgate at Exit 9 to block inflow, ensuring normal operation of systems in each functional room (electrical room, communication and machinery room).

Subsequently, through AFC restoration, platform safety door maintenance, and drainage work, early normal train operation was achieved around 11:58 p.m. on the 8th.

For the 34 simultaneous leaks inside stations such as Samsung, Daechi, and Sadang Stations, 47 emergency architectural staff (17 on shift) were urgently deployed to block rainwater inflow and reinforce leaks before business hours, completing 27 cases and planning to promptly restore the remaining 7.

Also, due to increased water inflow in main lines and tunnel sections caused by continuous heavy rain, staff from the track department were dispatched on-site to quickly respond to track flooding situations at Sindorim~Mullae, Suseo Depot entry tracks, and Gwangmyeong Sageori Station by maintaining and draining drainage channels, ensuring no disruption to normal train operations.

At Suseo Depot, where full flooding occurred, power was cut off to the welfare building and inspection shed due to electrical room flooding, and power supply to the signal machinery room and communication machinery room was suspended. Backup power was supplied to secure normal functions of incoming and outgoing trains.

Subsequently, 10 submersible pumps and water pumps were deployed for drainage to restore the electrical room, but complete drainage is still in progress due to ongoing heavy rain. Two generator vehicles were deployed to supply power to the communication machinery room and others, ensuring no disruption to signal and communication systems for trains entering and leaving the depot.

Seoul Metro minimized flood damage and achieved stable normal train operations even under the worst heavy rain conditions through rapid transition to emergency work systems and regular emergency preparedness training.

A Seoul Metro official stated, “All employees will do their best to prevent flood damage in preparation for additional heavy rain and to ensure passenger safety and convenience in train use.”

Thirteen city council members from the Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee (Chairman Park Jung-hwa) visited the company’s 2nd Control Center at 10 a.m. on the 10th, received a report on the company’s response, and praised the efforts.

Drainage Pump

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