SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae visited a cluster of semi-basement homes in Seoksu-dong, Manan District, Anyang, and the Yeonhyeon drainage pump station on the 9th to inspect heavy rain preparedness, as heavy rain advisories were issued for 20 cities and counties across the province.
The site visit was arranged to check the operating status of flood detection systems in underground spaces and to review the response framework linking situation reporting, on-site verification, and advance evacuation of residents when flooding occurs. Securing the "golden time" to prevent casualties is the core objective.
Choo first visited the semi-basement housing cluster in the Seoksu-dong area to review the operation of flood detection alarm devices installed at public hub points. The devices send text alerts to the situation rooms of Gyeonggi Province and its cities and counties, as well as to officials in charge at township and neighborhood offices, when flooding is detected. This enables rapid on-site verification and follow-up measures, including evacuation orders when necessary.
"Good ideas are being well applied in the field," Choo said. "To protect the safety of each and every resident, we must further improve policy efficiency so that these devices work properly on site."
She added, "Low-lying area flooding is an issue I paid close attention to during my time in the legislature, prioritizing budget allocations for it. We will build an even tighter system so that residents of low-lying areas like Anyang can live safely."
Focusing on areas that suffered flood damage during the summer rains of 2022, Anyang installed flood detection alarm devices for semi-basement homes at 18 locations, including the Seoksu-dong area, from 2023 to 2025. Given the difficulty of obtaining consent for installation in individual households, the city installed the devices at public hub points and monitors flood risks through a management system for semi-basement neighborhoods.
Choo then visited the Yeonhyeon drainage pump station in Seoksu-dong to check the facility's operating condition and confirm it was functioning normally. Drainage pump stations are critical facilities for preventing inland flooding during torrential rains. Completed in 2000, the Yeonhyeon station has a processing capacity of 440 cubic meters per minute and a retention basin capacity of 1,150 cubic meters. Anyang operates eight drainage pump stations within its jurisdiction.
After completing the inspection, Choo said, "The foundation of provincial administration is protecting the lives of residents. I confirmed that safety facilities are working well on site." She also asked officials to "stay vigilant to the very end so that residents in vulnerable areas can evacuate in the event of an emergency, even at night."
