The Rising Threat of Extreme Rainfall

The climate crisis has brought about an increase in extreme weather events globally, with heavy rainfall becoming more frequent and harder to predict. South Korea, like many other nations, is grappling with the challenge of mitigating the impact of these events. Traditional methods of flood management are proving insufficient, necessitating innovative solutions to safeguard communities and infrastructure.

A Multi-Pronged Approach to Flood management

The Ministry of Surroundings has unveiled it’s “Summer Flood Measures for 2025,” a comprehensive plan built around five key pillars:

1. AI-Driven Risk Assessment: Utilizing AI to identify and assess flood risks with greater speed and accuracy.
2. enhanced Flood Information Dissemination: Providing timely and accessible flood-related information to the public.
3. Strengthening Vulnerable Area Preparedness: focusing on proactive measures in areas susceptible to flooding.
4. Robust Risk Factor Management: Implementing strategies to minimize the impact of potential flood hazards.
5. Optimized Flood Period Competency: Maximizing resources and capabilities during the peak flood season (June 21 – September 20).

Digital Twins: Visualizing Flood Scenarios

One of the cornerstones of this initiative is the implementation of “Digital Twins” – advanced 3D virtual models of dams and rivers. This technology allows for the visual representation of potential flood scenarios resulting from dam discharge or heavy rainfall. Instead of relying solely on numerical data, decision-makers can now intuitively assess the spatial impact of floods, leading to more informed and effective responses.

Digital Twins offer a more intuitive understanding of flood dynamics, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making during critical events.

AI-Powered CCTV Surveillance

To further enhance real-time monitoring, the government is deploying AI-enabled CCTV systems along rivers nationwide. These systems can automatically detect and alert authorities to the presence of people and vehicles in potentially hazardous areas. This represents a significant upgrade from traditional CCTV monitoring, which relies on manual observation and is prone to human error. Over 1000 CCTVs will be upgraded with AI capabilities.

Improved Flood Forecasting with AI

The existing “AI Flood Forecast” and “Urban Flood Forecast” systems are being considerably enhanced. The number of forecast issuance locations for the AI Flood Forecast is being expanded from 75 to 223. Moreover, the system will incorporate data from an increased number of water level observation stations (933) and rainfall radar data, improving the accuracy of flood predictions. The urban flood forecast system will also be expanded to include additional areas, such as Dorimcheon, Hwangryong River, Coldcheon, and Changwoncheon.

According to a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization,AI-driven forecasting models have shown a 15-20% improvement in accuracy compared to traditional methods,highlighting the potential of this technology in mitigating flood risks.

Real-Time Alerts and Vulnerable Area Management

The government is also implementing a new system to provide real-time alerts to citizens in danger. Previously, flood advisories and warnings were disseminated primarily through safety guide texts (CBS) or vehicle navigation systems when special reports were issued at 223 locations. Now, if a hazardous situation is detected at any of the 933 water stations nationwide, alerts will be instantly sent to people in the affected areas.

Recognizing that structural improvements are not always feasible, areas notably vulnerable to flooding will be designated as “flood vulnerable districts.” Flood risk maps, indicating potential damage zones, will be made publicly available to inform residents and businesses.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement and Global Collaboration

The Ministry of Environment is committed to continuous improvement through ongoing review of international best practices and expert consultations. This includes expanding river inspections during the flood season,enhancing maintenance of key water facilities and infrastructure,and increasing the number of multi-purpose dams nationwide.

To cope with the extreme rainfall types that are soaring in the climate crisis, risk prediction and rapid radio waves are more important.
Kim Wan-seop, Minister of Environment