Gapyeong County Accelerates Disaster Recovery Efforts... Government and Private Sector Join Forces

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Gapyeong County, which suffered significant damage from recent heavy rainfall, is accelerating recovery efforts with active support from the government, military units, and private volunteers. The county announced on the 28th that it is mobilizing all resources to restore infrastructure such as roads and electricity, as well as residential and agricultural damage through close cooperation with relevant agencies.

This newspaper is focusing intensively on the status of disaster recovery as of the 28th.

■ 5 Deaths, 2 Missing... Full Support for Funerals and Search Operations

Due to the heavy rainfall, five people have died and two remain missing in Gapyeong County so far. Funeral support for the deceased and search operations for the missing are proceeding simultaneously. Two residents including a Yongin city resident who died from the Maili Camping Site collapse in Jojong-myeon have been temporarily placed, and one family member remains missing. Additionally, one death each occurred in Jelyeong-ri, Buk-myeon; Daepo-ri, Jojong-myeon; and Sinsang-ri. The search range for missing persons has been expanded to include areas near Dawon 2 Bridge in Dekhyeon-ri, Sang-myeon, and the Gimpo region.

■ Power Restoration Rate 97.3%... Complete Power Transmission Expected Soon

Of the 4,140 households in 11 villages affected by power outages from the heavy rainfall, 97.3% have been restored. Power transmission is expected to be completed in most remaining areas by the 29th. Maili in Jojong-myeon is experiencing delays in restoration due to road collapse, but Korea Electric Power Corporation and the county are working together to prioritize early restoration of power transmission.

■ 313 Heavy Equipment Units Deployed... Equipment Support by Village 'Accelerating'

A total of 313 pieces of heavy machinery including excavators, dump trucks, and water spraying trucks are being concentrated in Gapyeong-eup, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Sang-myeon, Jojong-myeon, and Buk-myeon to work on restoration of landslide-affected areas and road collapse sections. Plans are in place to deploy equipment immediately upon additional restoration requests from villages.

■ Road Restoration 100% Complete... Non-legal Roads Also Being Promptly Repaired

As of the 22nd, 20 legal roads were damaged and traffic was restricted, but as of the 27th, all 20 roads have been completely restored and traffic has resumed.

However, efforts continue to restore non-legal roads and village roads that were restricted due to landslides and road damage.

■ Communications Restoration Rate 99%... Wired and Wireless Networks Mostly Recovered

Communications infrastructure with 8,165 total lines was damaged, but through prompt restoration, 8,086 lines were restored as of the 27th. This brings the overall restoration rate to 99%, achieving near-complete recovery. Specifically, wireless service is at 92.4%, wired service at 99.4%, and paid broadcasting at 99.6%. However, the remaining 79 unrestored lines caused by significant landslide damage are being prioritized for early restoration.

■ Medical Support Provided 2,361 Cases... Infectious Disease Prevention Also Undertaken

Medical volunteer teams composed of Gyeonggi Province Medical Association, Nurses Association, and Pharmacists Association, in cooperation with Gapyeong County Health Center, are providing on-site medical services. A total of 2,361 medical consultations and counseling sessions have been conducted so far. This includes 571 home visits, 1,586 home health management services, and 204 other cases including infectious disease management.

■ Water Supply Restoration: 22 of 24 Sites Completed

Water supply systems that were temporarily halted due to flooding and power outages have been restored at 22 of 24 total sites as of the 27th, achieving a 92% restoration rate. The remaining 2 unrestored sites are currently under repair, with emergency water supply being provided due to pipeline damage and loss.

■ 8,480 Volunteers Deployed... Shedding 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears' on Sediment Removal

Volunteers continue to work at disaster recovery sites shedding blood, sweat, and tears. Accumulated volunteer participation from the 21st through the 27th totaled 8,480 people. Notably, over the weekend of the 26th and 27th, a total of 5,154 people including civil servants, military personnel, and general citizens participated. They supported recovery work in various fields including sediment removal, waste disposal, and damage restoration to homes.

Seo Tae-won, Gapyeong County Governor, stated, "The government, military, and private sector are uniting our strength and mobilizing all resources to help residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible," and added, "We will do our best to promptly complete restoration in the remaining affected areas."