Government Inspects Rainwater Management Facilities Ahead of Summer Flood Season

Government officials conducted an on-site inspection of urban flood response facilities in the Sinwol-dong area of Yangcheon District, Seoul, ahead of the summer natural disaster response period. The inspection aimed to assess the management of drainage infrastructure, including the deep underground rainwater tunnel, drainage inlets, and manhole fall prevention systems, in preparation for heavy rainfall and urban flooding.

On May 14, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that First Vice Minister Kim Han-seung visited Sinwol-dong to review the operational status of the Sinwol deep underground rainwater tunnel, the cleaning of drainage inlets, and the installation of manhole fall prevention systems. This inspection was organized in anticipation of the summer natural disaster response period, which runs from May 15 to October 15.

The Sinwol deep underground rainwater tunnel, located 40 meters underground, is the first of its kind in South Korea. It can store up to 320,000 cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to the volume of about 150 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Since the facility began operations in 2020, the area, which was previously prone to flooding, has not experienced any flood damage.

During the visit, Vice Minister Kim inspected the operational status of the rainwater tunnel and pumping stations. He emphasized the need for enhanced cleaning and maintenance of drainage inlets and the early installation of manhole fall prevention systems to prevent flood damage due to drainage issues. He also urged for strict safety management at flood response sites.

The ministry plans to monitor local governments' cleaning and inspection records of drainage inlets on a weekly basis during the summer disaster response period. It will also continue to check the management status of flood response drainage facilities, including the installation of manhole fall prevention systems. The ministry aims to ensure the implementation of preventive measures through ongoing inspections.

Additionally, the ministry will promote three key public initiatives to maintain clear drainage inlets: not littering in drainage inlets, not placing covers on them, and reporting blocked drainage inlets.

Vice Minister Kim stated, "The damage from flooding due to heavy rainfall can be prevented by how well we prepare and respond on-site. We will do our utmost to ensure there are no shortcomings in urban flood response ahead of the summer natural disaster response period."