A drainage is blocked near Seoul’s Gangnam subway station on July 13, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 14 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday that it will introduce various measures to prevent drainage clogging during heavy summer rains.
According to the city government, there are a total of 557,553 drainage systems installed across the main roads, back roads, and alleys of the city.
When drainages become obstructed by trash and cigarette butts, they are unable to efficiently drain water.
To address this issue, the government has entered into a contract with street cleaning companies, ensuring that the drainages are cleaned at least twice a year.
Additionally, the city’s 25 district offices have established a rule to regularly patrol and inspect the drainages.
Given the anticipated increase in heavy rainfalls due to abnormal weather patterns, the city government intends to enhance drainage maintenance.
For the 11 districts at higher risk of flooding, the government plans to assign 120 dedicated employees responsible for frequent drainage checks and sediment removal.
To change the public perception that street drains serve as trash cans or ashtrays, the city government will conduct a trial installation of “yellow boxes.”
These yellow boxes, adorned with yellow-colored trim and diagonal lines, will feature warning signs discouraging waste and cigarette butt disposal.
Initially, 300 sites will receive the yellow boxes, with each district — Seocho, Gangnam, and Gwanak — receiving 100 installations due to their high floating populations.
Following an assessment of citizen feedback and the impact on cigarette butt disposal, the yellow box program will be expanded to other areas.
“Drainages are the primary facilities for processing road rainfall,” a senior official at the city government said.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
