Hamyang County in South Gyeongsang Province is making steady progress on the "Imho District Improvement Project," aimed at preventing future disasters in Imho Village, which suffered damage from heavy rainfall last year.
In preparation for the upcoming rainy season, the county is taking proactive measures to ensure that key debris control facilities function effectively, focusing on building a safety net at the site.
According to Hamyang County, the project is part of a recovery initiative funded by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with a total budget of 31 billion won (50% from the national government, 25% from the provincial government, and 25% from the county). While there were no casualties during the landslide and flooding in July of last year, the county aims to comprehensively link the restoration of the upper forest areas with improvements to the lower village drainage system to fundamentally prevent future natural disasters.
Currently, the recovery progress in the upper forest area is about 60%, while general civil engineering work, including the installation of new drainage pipes in the lower village, stands at approximately 30%. Concerns had been raised about potential additional damage during this summer's rainy season due to the disparity in progress rates, but key defensive measures have already been established at the site.
A representative from the Hamyang County Forest and Greenery Division stated, "We have proactively completed the installation of debris dams in the upper area. Even if sediment or debris flows down during heavy rainfall, the debris dam will initially filter it, preventing damage to the lower village."
The lower construction work, which has a relatively lower progress rate, is also accelerating to meet the October completion target. Relevant departments, including the Construction and Transportation Division, are intensively deploying equipment to synchronize the upper recovery work and complete both simultaneously.
Customized measures are also being implemented to prevent inconvenience and safety accidents for residents during the construction period.
Imho Village has narrow access roads and a significant number of elderly residents who primarily use electric carts, raising concerns about the risk of falls during construction. In response, the county has secured a bypass road to allow residents to safely navigate around hazardous areas.
Hamyang County is committed to thorough post-completion management after the project wraps up in October. Continuous monitoring of the site will be conducted to prepare for sediment or debris accumulation in the debris control facilities, along with regular dredging operations to ensure that disaster prevention functions are maintained at 100% capacity.
A county official remarked, "The comprehensive recovery project in the Imho District is our top priority for disaster prevention to protect the lives and property of residents. We will do our utmost to ensure thorough management of the construction process and safety until the very end, allowing residents to live without worry during heavy rainfall."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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