Pyeongtaek Mayor Choi Wonyong Emphasizes "Citizen Safety Is the Top Priority" as He Leads All-Night Emergency Response to 205mm Torrential Rain

24-Hour Emergency Response System Activated
Real-Time Collaboration and Complaint Sharing
Mayor Choi Conducts Urgent On-Site Inspections at Saegyo Underpass and Other Flood-Prone Areas

Choi Wonyong, Mayor of Pyeongtaek City, emphasized once again that "the safety of citizens is the top priority" as he led an all-night emergency response while the city experienced a torrential downpour of up to 205mm.

Choi Wonyong, mayor of Pyeongtaek City, has been operating a 24-hour emergency duty system since the night of the 8th when a heavy rain advisory was issued, following continuous damages such as flooding and road damage due to heavy rains up to 205mm by 9 a.m. on the 9th. Provided by Pyeongtaek City

Pyeongtaek City announced on July 9 that, due to continuous damage such as flooding and road destruction caused by heavy rain measuring up to 205mm (as of 9 a.m.), it had activated a 24-hour emergency work system and launched an all-out response starting from the night of July 8, when a heavy rain advisory was issued.

As soon as the heavy rain advisory was issued at 10:20 p.m. on July 8, Mayor Choi officially initiated disaster response efforts through the "Pyeongtaek City Disaster Safety Room," directing, "Heavy rain is currently falling. Please do your utmost to prevent accidents."

Subsequently, real-time reports of damage such as drainage overflow, road flooding, fallen trees, soil runoff, and underpass flooding were continuously received in the disaster safety room. The city immediately shared incoming complaints with relevant departments and carried out on-site dispatches and emergency measures in parallel.

The Disaster Management Division, as well as disaster prevention departments, townships, neighborhoods, and branch offices, focused on initial response by checking high-risk flood areas and damaged roads in real time. The city stated that it had completed on-site inspections and emergency measures for all 14 reports of damage received by 9 a.m. on July 9.

With forecasts predicting a strong rain band passing over Pyeongtaek in the early morning hours, Mayor Choi personally conducted on-site inspections. He visited the Saegyo Underpass, which has a history of flooding, and the Jije No. 1 Drainage Gate, a key river level control facility, one after another to directly check the operation of drainage facilities and the vehicle entry blocking system, reviewing the ongoing response measures.

He also instructed that preemptive monitoring activities be strengthened even in areas where no damage had occurred, to prevent additional damage.

Mayor Choi said, "For public officials, there is no duty more important than protecting the lives, safety, and property of citizens," adding, "Remain vigilant until the heavy rain warnings are completely lifted, and be thorough in ensuring the safety of response personnel deployed to disaster sites."

In line with forecasts from the Korea Meteorological Administration, Pyeongtaek City is strengthening access control to disaster-prone areas such as riverside walkways, underpasses, and riverside parking lots in preparation for additional rainfall, while maintaining a 24-hour emergency response system to immediately address any civil complaints that may arise.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.