Yongsan District Installs Internet of Things (IoT) Flood Warning System in Semi-Basement Alley, First in the Country

[Financial News] Yongsan District has built the country’s first Internet of Things (IoT)-based flood warning system in an alley densely populated with semi-basement homes. The system measures road water levels every minute and immediately alerts residents through sirens and voice broadcasts when a flooding risk is detected, helping them evacuate quickly. Yongsan District announced on the 20th that it had built IoT radar-based flood warning systems in six low-lying areas densely populated with semi-basement homes and completed a pilot operation in August.
The system automatically measures water levels in alleyways every minute and transmits the data to a server. Officials can monitor changes in water levels and flooding risks in real time without visiting the sites. A key feature is that water-level monitoring, previously focused on rivers and major roads, has been expanded to alleyways in residents’ neighborhoods.
When the measured water level reaches a designated threshold for a given stage of flooding risk, sirens and voice broadcasts installed at the site are activated automatically. Risks are divided into three levels based on the water level—Caution: 5 cm, Alert: 10 cm, and Severe: 15 cm—and residents are informed of the danger and evacuation procedures. Alert text messages are also sent to Donghaeng Partners and care officials to assist with resident evacuations.
The district plans to analyze the accumulated water-level data to refine its flood forecasting and warning thresholds and expand the system, particularly in flood-prone areas.
Yongsan District mayor Kim Gyeong-dae said, "It is far more important to detect risks in advance and quickly alert residents than to respond after flooding occurs." He added, "We will continue to enhance our real-time monitoring system to protect the lives and property of residents."

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter