Gapyeong County Accelerates Flood Recovery Efforts... Government and Private Sector Unite

[Suwon Ilbo=Eo In-yong, Reporter] Gapyeong County, which suffered significant damage from recent heavy rainfall, is accelerating recovery operations with active support from the government, military units, and private volunteers. The county announced on the 28th that it is making every effort to recover infrastructure such as roads and electricity, as well as restoring damage to residents' homes and farmland, through close cooperation with relevant agencies.

This report focuses on the status of disaster recovery as of the 28th.

■ Five Deaths, Two Missing... All-out Support for Funeral Services and Search Operations

Due to heavy rainfall, five people have died and two are missing in Gapyeong County to date. Funeral support for the deceased and search operations for the missing are proceeding simultaneously. Two citizens from Yongin, including those who died in the burial of Majil Camping Site in Jojong-myeon, have been temporarily placed in morgue facilities, and one family member remains missing. Additionally, one death each occurred in Jeryeong-ri in Buk-myeon, Daebo-ri in Jojong-myeon, and Sinsang-ri. The search range for the missing has been expanded to include areas near Dawon 2 Bridge in Deok-hyeon-ri, Sang-myeon, as well as Gimpo region.

■ Power Recovery Rate 97.3%... Power Restoration Expected to Complete Soon

Among 4,140 households in 11 villages affected by power outages, 97.3% have completed recovery. Power restoration for remaining areas is expected to be completed by the 29th. Majil in Jojong-myeon is experiencing delayed recovery due to road erosion, but Korea Electric Power Corporation and the county are cooperating to make every effort in power restoration work for early recovery.

■ 313 Recovery Vehicles Deployed... Village-by-Village Heavy Equipment Support 'Accelerates'

A total of 313 heavy equipment vehicles, including excavators, dump trucks, and water spray trucks, have been concentrated in Gapyeong-eup, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Sang-myeon, Jojong-myeon, and Buk-myeon to work on recovery of landslide-affected areas and road erosion sections. The plan is to deploy equipment immediately upon additional recovery requests from villages.

■ Road Recovery 100% Complete... Swift Maintenance of Non-designated Roads

As of the 22nd, 20 roads (legally designated roads) were eroded and traffic was controlled, but as of the 27th, recovery of all 20 locations has been completed and traffic has resumed.

However, efforts are being made to recover non-designated and village roads that had restricted traffic due to landslides and road damage.

■ Communication Recovery Rate 99%... Wireless and Wired Networks Mostly Restored

Communications infrastructure suffered damage to 8,165 total lines, but through rapid recovery, 8,086 lines have been restored as of the 27th. This achieves an overall recovery rate of 99%, bringing complete recovery within sight. Specifically, wireless recovery is at 92.4%, wired is at 99.4%, and pay broadcast is at 99.6%. However, for the 79 unrecovered lines due to significant landslide damage, all efforts are being made for early recovery.

■ Medical Support 2,361 Cases... Infectious Disease Prevention Ongoing

Medical volunteer groups composed of the Gyeonggi Province Medical Association, Nurses Association, and Pharmaceutical Association, in cooperation with Gapyeong County Health Center, are providing on-site medical services. To date, a total of 2,361 medical consultations and counseling sessions have been provided. This includes 571 home visits, 1,586 home health management cases, and 204 other medical cases including infectious disease management.

■ Water Supply Damage: 22 of 24 Locations Recovered

Water supply, which had been temporarily suspended due to flooding and power outages, has recovered at 22 of 24 locations as of the 27th, achieving a 92% recovery rate. The remaining 2 unrecovered locations are currently undergoing restoration work, and emergency water supply is being provided due to pipeline damage and erosion.

■ 8,480 Volunteers Deployed... 'Persevering Hard Work' in Sediment Removal

Volunteers have been continuously deployed at disaster recovery sites working hard. The cumulative number of participants from the 21st through the 27th reaches 8,480. Notably, over the weekend of the 26th-27th, a total of 5,154 participants including civil servants, military personnel, and civilians took part. They provided support in various recovery operations including sediment removal, waste disposal, and repair of flood-damaged homes.

Seo Tae-won, Governor of Gapyeong County, stated, "With the government, military, and private sector joining forces, we are mobilizing all resources for recovery so residents can return to their daily lives as soon as possible," and added, "We will do our best to swiftly complete recovery in the remaining affected areas."