Geoje City deploys all staff for flood recovery after record 800mm rainfall

Geoje City in South Korea has mobilized its entire workforce to address the severe damage caused by unprecedented rainfall, which has exceeded 800mm over three days. The downpour, occurring from August 15th to 17th, has led to widespread flooding, power and water disruptions, and landslides across the region.

In response, the city activated its disaster and safety management headquarters on August 16th. Emergency measures included evacuating residents from vulnerable areas and implementing road closures. By 8 AM on August 17th, all city employees were placed on emergency duty. As of 1 PM that day, 208 households, comprising 335 individuals, had been relocated to nearby community centers.

City employees are actively engaged in clearing mud and debris from affected roads and residential areas, as well as maintaining drainage systems. Mayor Byun Kwang-yong visited landslide sites in Okpo-dong early in the morning to assess the situation. He subsequently convened an emergency assessment meeting to discuss response strategies.

"We will do our best to quickly restore the damage and minimize citizen inconvenience by deploying all available personnel and equipment," Mayor Byun stated. He also emphasized the need for heightened vigilance regarding potential secondary damage, such as landslides and soil erosion, due to the saturated ground. The city is prioritizing rapid emergency recovery while also focusing on measures to prevent future damage.

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We will do our best to quickly restore the damage and minimize citizen inconvenience by deploying all available personnel and equipment. Also, because the ground is saturated with so much rain, there is a possibility of additional damage such as landslides or soil erosion, so please pay special attention to surveillance and safety management in dangerous areas.