On the 8th, a lot of flood damage, such as ceilings collapsing in subway stations and stream flooding, occurred as the record downpour hit Seoul and its nearby regions. About 50 cars were submerged, particularly in Gangnam; the roads were closed to traffic. There were power cuts, water leakage, and so on, not to mention delays in returning home.
According to Seoul's government and fire authorities, the roads and nearby shops were flooded as the sewage near Gangnam Station flowed backwards.
Some car owners evacuated up to the roof of their cars because the roads were entirely flooded.
The Gangnam area is a lowland where rainwater from nearby areas gathers when it rains heavily. To add insult to injury, a lot of rubbish in the streets clogged the drains, and it caused enormous flood damage.
There are many Banjihas in Seoul; this record rainfall brought about massive damages and three casualties. Seoul's government is now discussing a permanent ban on this type of housing and moving the residents of the Banjihas. Specific decisions are still pending.
Banjiha can be translated as 'underground apartment' or 'semi-basement'. It is one of the unique housing styles seen in Seoul; the movie, Parasite, reflects the reality of Banjiha very well. Despite the well-known image of Gangnam(a byword for the wealthy neighbourhood), the poor housing conditions of Banjihas and those who live in them show the irony of Gangnam.
WORDS BY
Minsu Kim - koreaonthescreen@gmail.com
@koreaonthescreen
@emeskei_
@walkitecture_
@koreaonthescreen
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