'Deep Underground Stormwater Drainage Tunnel' Accelerates... Seoul City Announces Progress on Flood and Water Disaster Countermeasures

Raising Disaster Prevention Performance Targets at Gangnam Station and Focusing on Measures for the Disabled

With record-breaking heavy rains expected this summer due to the 'Super El Ni?o,' the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun preparing flood countermeasures. While significantly enhancing disaster prevention capabilities, the city plans to introduce new systems such as the 'Flood Forecast and Warning System' to take proactive measures to prevent major flood damage caused by heavy rains like last year.

On the 12th, Seoul held a 'Flood and Wind Disaster Countermeasure Progress Briefing' at Seoul City Hall to share these plans.

Vehicles that were submerged due to heavy rain last year in front of Jinheung Apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are now emerging as the water recedes. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Seoul introduced this year's flood and wind disaster safety measures divided into three main categories: ▲Strengthening disaster prevention performance ▲Newly implemented systems ▲Further enhanced systems.

First, since December last year, Seoul has raised its disaster prevention performance targets. The entire city’s standard was adjusted from 95mm/hr to 100mm/hr. The Gangnam Station area, a key management zone, was further raised from 100mm/hr to 110mm/hr.

Along with this, Seoul plans to complete the 'Deep Rainwater Drainage Tunnel' in the Gangnam Station, Dorimcheon, and Gwanghwamun areas by 2027. The basic plan will be finalized this year, and a turnkey contract will be issued, with a total project cost reaching 1.3 trillion KRW. The second phase plans to install tunnels in the Sadang Station, Hangang-ro, and Gildong areas by 2032.

Additionally, Seoul will implement the nation's first 'Flood Forecast and Warning System' this year, which proactively issues warnings to areas expected to be flooded due to heavy rains. This system transmits flood information when rainfall and water depth exceed certain thresholds, measured by rain gauges and road water level sensors installed throughout Seoul.

To secure the golden time for rescue during flood risks, 'Companion Partners' will assist vulnerable disaster victims who have difficulty evacuating on their own. The Companion Partners consist of 2,391 members, including care officials, community leaders, and nearby residents.

'Deep Underground Stormwater Drainage Tunnel' Plan Proposal

At three locations?Gangnam Station, Daechi Station, and Isu Station Intersection?the city will introduce the 'Preemptive Flood-Vulnerable Road Control' service for the first time. In collaboration with the police, vehicle entry will be restricted, and navigation apps such as Kakao and T-map will guide drivers to detour routes.

In the five autonomous districts (Gwanak, Dongjak, Yeongdeungpo, Seocho, Gangnam) declared special disaster zones due to last year’s heavy rain damage, mobile and portable 'Temporary Water Barriers' will be pilot-operated to enable rapid response in case of unexpected flooding.

Furthermore, the city plans to continuously manage the 557,533 rainwater inlets across Seoul and organize dedicated personnel such as 'Special Patrol Teams.' The installation of flood prevention facilities in semi-basement houses will also be expanded, aiming to complete installations in 10,320 households by the end of this month. Previously, the city conducted surveys on 20,000 households among 220,000 semi-basement homes, focusing on those with severely disabled residents, elderly or child-rearing families, and households with a history of flooding.

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