Seongdong-gu Installs Advanced Drainage Grates Near Seoul Forest to Prevent Flood Damage

Seoul's Seongdong-gu district has installed pre-drainage channel grates along roads near Seoul Forest to prepare for heavy summer downpours, district mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said.

The pre-drainage channel grate is a drainage facility with a wider water-intake area than conventional grates, designed to run continuously along the edge of a road. It is particularly effective at preventing flooding because it draws in and drains standing water more quickly during heavy rain.

The area around Seoul Forest sees heavy foot traffic from park visitors and shoppers in the Seongsu-dong commercial district. Because Seongsu-dong sits in a low-lying area, rapidly draining rainwater from roads during downpours is especially critical, making upgrades to the drainage infrastructure a priority.

The district installed the new grates along approximately 600 meters of road edges and sidewalk-adjacent sections near Seoul Forest, significantly strengthening road drainage capacity. The Seoul Metropolitan Government provided budget support for the project, and all construction was completed before the monsoon season began as a preemptive measure against heavy rain.

The grate covers were also redesigned as part of the project. The previous covers had wide gaps between bars, posing a risk of catching high heels, stroller wheels or bicycle tires. The newly installed covers maintain a sufficient water-intake area for drainage performance while featuring narrower gaps to prevent accidents during use.

The district said it plans to continue monitoring conditions along the upgraded sections and review expanding the same approach to other flood-prone areas.

"The Seoul Forest area is frequented not only by residents but also by many visitors from outside the neighborhood, so it is important to create a walking environment where people can move safely and comfortably even in the rain," district mayor Yoo said. "We will continue to push forward with sewer maintenance and flood prevention projects that residents can feel the difference from, making the district an even safer city."