Expansion of Landslide-Prone Areas and Shelters... "Strengthening Landslide Response Capabilities"

The Korea Forest Service is strengthening its response capabilities to landslides, which become more concentrated and larger during the summer, by expanding landslide-prone areas and increasing shelters.

Last month, due to record-breaking heavy rain, a landslide occurred in the hillside near Sillim Middle School in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Officials are clearing soil and trees that spilled onto Sillim-ro and repairing the road. The photo is unrelated to the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 23rd, a total of 2,328 landslides occurred nationwide this year, causing damage to 440 hectares of forest. Compared to last year, when 1,278 landslides caused damage to 327 hectares of forest, this represents an increase of 1,050 incidents and 113 hectares in forest damage area.

This year, landslides also resulted in 15 casualties. By region, 11 people died?4 in Bonghwa, 2 in Yecheon, 2 in Yeongju, 2 in Nonsan, and 1 in Cheongyang?and 2 people were injured and rescued in Nonsan. In Yecheon, 2 people remain missing (buried), and search operations are ongoing.

In particular, landslide damage was concentrated in July. During the heavy rains from July 13 to 19, a total of 325 landslides occurred nationwide (based on the landslide information system), and all casualties happened around this time. The concentration of landslide damage in July is analyzed to be due to the weakened forest ground caused by heavy rainfall nationwide starting from the rainy season in June.

Until now, to prevent landslides, the Korea Forest Service classified landslide-prone areas into grades 1 to 5 and focused inspections mainly on grades 1 and 2. However, this year, when heavy rains were frequent, landslides occurred even in areas not classified as prone or considered low risk, which perplexed forest authorities.

Accordingly, as part of measures to prevent landslide damage, the Korea Forest Service plans to expand landslide-prone areas and broaden inspection targets. First, the expansion of landslide-prone areas aims to increase from 28,000 sites as of the end of June to 110,000 sites by 2027.

Landslide shelters will also be increased. Shelters are designated buildings where residents can evacuate or temporarily reside to protect their lives and property when landslides are feared or when they cannot stay in their homes due to landslides. As of the end of June, about 14,000 shelters are prepared and operated nationwide.

The Korea Forest Service believes that to prevent secondary damage to shelters during disasters, careful review is necessary from the additional selection stage. Accordingly, after a public consultation process next month, the Korea Forest Service plans to establish the "Standards for Designation and Operation of Landslide Shelters" in October and gradually expand the number of shelters.

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