Uijeongbu City Completes Comprehensive Inspection of River Entry Blocking Facilities and Floodgates for Flood Season Preparedness

Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province conducted a comprehensive inspection and installation drill of river entry blocking facilities and floodgates from May 4 to May 14, in preparation for summer season flood and storm damage (heavy rain and flooding).

Uijeongbu City Completes Comprehensive Inspection of Floodgate and Water Barrier Facilities for Flood and Wind Damage Preparedness in 2026. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

This inspection and drill were organized to prevent loss of life and property caused by embankment overflow during sudden downpours, which have become more frequent due to climate change. It also aimed to enhance employees' proficiency in facility operation and clarify their roles, thereby strengthening the city's initial response capabilities.

First, the city carried out a full inspection of a total of 233 river entry blocking facilities (87 automatic and 146 manual) installed at entry points and stepping stone bridges along six local rivers within the city (Jungnangcheon, Buyongcheon, Baekseokcheon, Minlakcheon, Hoeryongcheon, and Howoncheon).

In particular, the inspection focused not only on field control but also on checking for any malfunctions in the remote control system operated from the office, as well as on the condition of the facilities to ensure they were ready for immediate use.

Additionally, the city conducted operation drills for five floodgates installed to prevent river water from entering adjacent low-lying areas when water levels rise rapidly. The drills were carried out at four manual floodgates located at Gageumgyo and Singokgyo on Jungnangcheon, and Donguigyo on Baekseokcheon, as well as one automatic floodgate near Mangwolgyo on Howoncheon. The focus was on enabling quick installation in emergencies to completely block flood damage.

During the inspection period, the city also provided training on the action manual to be followed when heavy rain and flood advisories are issued, thereby improving practical response capabilities. Furthermore, the city has designated the period from June to October as the "Summer Natural Disaster Response Period," during which it will implement continuous river patrols and maintain an emergency response system.

In particular, the city plans to immediately block river entry points in accordance with the manual when weather advisories are issued. A city official stated, "To prevent safety accidents, we urge residents to refrain from using riverside walkways and stepping stone bridges during rain and to cooperate actively with the city's control measures."

Deputy Mayor Kang Hyunseok commented, "As localized and sudden downpours have become more frequent due to recent climate change, prevention-oriented management is more important than ever for protecting citizens' safety. We will continue to thoroughly maintain disaster prevention facilities and inspect vulnerable areas to create a safe river environment."

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