Why not use the hazard map?

Will this year’s “human disasters” be reduced next year? I had the same hopes last year.

CHOI HYUN-JOOThe author is a stock market news reporter of the JoongAng Ilbo. In early August last year, I hurried from Gwanghwamun to my house in Bundang, Gyeonggi, at the news that Gangnam Station was flooded. After passing Hannam Bridge by car, I managed to get on the Gyeongbu Expressway.

Then the heavy rain came. Rainwater instantly rose to halfway up the wheels of the car. Fear came upon me. I drove very slowly and arrived home after four hours. After that day, I don’t drive on rainy days.

On the same day last year, a family of three, including a disabled person, living in a half-basement home in Gwanak District, northern Seoul, and a woman in her 50s who lived in her half-basement home in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, were killed in the flood.

The “water bombs” wreaked havoc on the country this summer, too. After several days of torrential rain, rivers in Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang flooded, and mountains and embankments collapsed. Nearly 50 people have already died. Criticism is mounting as these incidents come from a lack of disaster prevention that can be found in underdeveloped countries.

The authorities, which were condemned harshly last year, are once again criticized. Let’s look at the case of Seoul. The downtown rainwater drainage tunnel project, which requires a budget of 1.3 trillion won ($1 billion), is still in the planning stage. The authorities are discussing a plan to raise the fine for dumping cigarette butts, which may block the drainage, from 50,000 won to 200,000 won.

The government last year pledged to eliminate 65 percent of the half-basement units for 230,000 households within 10 years and provide housing by purchasing rental housing with tax money. But less than 1 percent has been relocated. Little has changed.

What about Japan? Since August 2020, it has been mandatory to attach a “Hazard Map” to real estate sales and lease contracts. This map shows the risk level for floods and earthquakes of the home, as well any previous damage and the location of shelters.

While some protested that it would lower housing prices, the Japanese government pushed for legislation. Public safety is the top priority. It is in stark contrast to Korea’s appeal to smokers to refrain from throwing cigarette butts into drains.

The problem is system maintenance. Maintenance of urban drainage pipes, including the addition and expansion of rainwater basins, is a priority. The plan to relocate the half-basement residents is important, but it is more urgent to repair the front doors to open inward to prevent human casualties in case of flooding.

Flood damage prevention is also required when building new homes, just like earthquake-resistant features. I don’t want to hear any more quick fixes to avoid responsibility. Fundamental measures are demanded. Will this year’s “human disasters” be reduced next year? I had the same hopes last year.