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Seoul city budgets 81.2 billion won for maintenance, preparations ahead of monsoon season

Published: 09 Apr. 2026, 14:17 Updated: 10 Apr. 2026, 16:34

A police officer clears a storm drain cover by hand to prevent road flooding on Jungbong-daero in Seo District, Incheon, on September 17, 2025. [YONHAP]

Seoul is set to inject 81.2 billion won ($54.9 million) to prevent damage from heavy summer rains, the city government said Wednesday.

Ahead of the monsoon season, which typically begins in June, Seoul has allocated 73.2 billion won to dredge sewer pipelines and clean storm drains, covering 1,627 kilometers (1,011 miles) of sewer lines and all 575,833 drains across the city.

Another 8 billion won has been allocated to prevent flooding in low-lying areas where rainwater quickly accumulates, including plans to install or expand 1,479 storm drains.

The city is also slated to install 6,300 meters (20,669 feet) of “continuous storm drains,” which connect multiple inlets to boost drainage capacity during heavy rainfall and reduce flood risk. Compared to conventional drains, they offer higher collection efficiency and help reduce odor complaints by minimizing the number of connecting pipes.

The updated storm drain installation guideline classifies drains into four types — flood prevention, odor reduction, landscape-friendly and pedestrian safety — and sets priorities for each, allowing district offices to choose appropriate designs.

Officials carry out storm drain cleaning work in a residential area in Gunpo, Gyeonggi, in May 2025. [YONHAP]

When the monsoon starts, the government plans to conduct on-site inspections at 245 locations, including commercial districts and areas around subway stations, at least once a week.

It will also mobilize about 21,000 residents — including local officials and volunteer disaster prevention groups — for storm drain maintenance. Participants will receive advance alerts ahead of rain forecasts and will remove unauthorized covers and clear debris from drains. The city will also hire 100 dedicated storm drain managers through a public job program to focus on key areas.

“Storm drains are the most basic infrastructure for preventing urban flooding, so systematic management is essential,” said Jeong Seong-guk, the director of the Seoul Water Circulation and Safety Office. “When heavy rain is forecast, we ask residents to remove drain covers and avoid throwing cigarette butts or trash into drains.”

The central government, meanwhile, has also recently completed a nationwide storm drain maintenance project launched late last year to prevent summer flooding, with about 30.04 billion won in special disaster funds spent to repair roughly 4.08 million drains. Another round of intensive maintenance is scheduled to begin next month.

BY MOON HEE-CHUL [[email protected]]