Gwangjin-gu (district mayor Kim Kyung-ho) has installed and begun operating integrated self-service flood pump stations across flood-prone areas of the district as the rainy season gets underway, strengthening a resident-centered early flood response system.
As climate change drives more frequent localized downpours, the need for rapid response immediately after flooding has grown. Previously, residents had to visit a community service center in person to borrow a pump, making access difficult at night or on holidays. In response, the district established a 24-hour self-service borrowing system so any resident can use the equipment the moment it is needed.
The district selected locations with high resident accessibility that remain easy to reach even in emergencies, installing the stations at 10 flood-prone sites and 15 community service centers, for a total of 25 locations.
The defining feature of the new stations is their integrated design, combining pumping equipment and flood-barrier supplies in a single unit.
Each station is stocked with two submersible pump sets along with sandbags and water-absorbent barriers. The setup allows residents to drain floodwater while simultaneously blocking rainwater from entering building entrances and other openings, improving the practical effectiveness of early flood response.
Residents can use the equipment without any application or in-person visit and simply return it to its original location after use. The stations are expected to aid early response by making the necessary equipment available at any time during an emergency.
The pump stations operate annually during the flood-prevention season, from May 15 to Oct. 15. The district plans to create conditions for residents to respond swiftly from the earliest stages of flooding, minimizing casualties and property damage, while continuing to strengthen a community-focused flood response system.
"Early response is everything when it comes to heavy rainfall," Gwangjin-gu district mayor Kim Kyung-ho said. "The self-service system, which combines pumps and flood-barrier supplies in one place, allows residents to respond to flooding more quickly."
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