Gwangju City Conducts Proactive Inspections of Natural Disaster Prevention Projects Ahead of Summer Season

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Gwangju City has launched proactive field inspections of wind and flood damage prevention projects as the summer natural disaster preparedness period (May 15 - October 15) begins.

Acting Mayor Kim Chung-beom visited four major disaster prevention project sites in the region on the 18th to prepare for intense summer rainfall and typhoons.

The inspection was organized to preemptively block risk factors and directly confirm the progress of ongoing projects, as the frequency and intensity of localized heavy rainfall have increased due to recent climate change.

The inspection focused on four key critical areas with high risk of casualties: landslide vulnerability zones, steep slopes at risk of collapse, and river dredging project sites.

Acting Mayor Kim inspected the project implementation status and safety management conditions at each site, and ordered proactive responses to potential risk factors.

First, at the landslide vulnerability area in Toe-chon-myeon, the current status of check dam construction and stream conservation projects was reviewed. Acting Mayor Kim inspected the installation status of disaster prevention facilities and ordered acceleration of project implementation to complete all construction by the end of June, before the rainy season.

The Yeokdong Urban Planning Road retaining wall site visited next is a project with a total investment of 850 million won, including 400 million won in special disaster safety grants from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Acting Mayor Kim instructed thorough repair and reinforcement of the retaining wall to ensure structural safety, and ordered review of how to utilize the disaster management fund for the insufficient 450 million won project cost.

At the Chuja-dong Gandles weir site, deterioration-related issues affecting automatic gate function were inspected. The city is promoting emergency repairs including replacement of major pipes and cylinders with 200 million won from the disaster management fund, and plans to conduct parallel 100 million won river dredging projects to prepare for flood risks.

Finally, at the Hoedeok N1 district, a grade D collapse risk area, the status of slope stabilization projects including slope maintenance, rock bolt installation, rockfall prevention nets, and ridge drainage installation was confirmed. Acting Mayor Kim instructed full attention to construction management to prevent soil erosion or rockfall accidents during heavy rainfall.

The city plans to immediately address any deficiencies identified in this field inspection and concentrate administrative resources on summer wind and flood damage prevention by operating emergency response systems throughout the disaster preparedness period.

Acting Mayor Kim stated, "As localized heavy rainfall that is difficult to predict due to climate change is becoming more frequent, thorough preparation is the only way to protect citizens' lives and property," and added, "Please do your best to ensure all projects are completed without delay by the end of June, before the main rainy season begins."