[Anchor]
Underground spaces are the most dangerous places during heavy rainfall. Once water reaches knee-level for an adult, escape becomes virtually impossible, meaning you must evacuate immediately at the slightest sign of rising water.
Reporter Dong Eunyeong has the story.
[Reporter]
Four years ago, when Typhoon Hinnamnor struck, a river overflowed and submerged the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, claiming seven lives.
The victims were residents who had gone down to move their vehicles after hearing news of the flooding.
That same summer, in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, a pair of sisters in their 40s and a teenage daughter lost their lives after failing to escape their semi-basement home in time.
Over the past decade, approximately 20% of deaths and disappearances caused by storm and flood damage have been attributed to flooding in underground spaces.
[Gong Ha-seong / Professor of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Woosuk University: People often try to evacuate toward where the water is coming in, but that is exactly where the water is rushing in with great force.]
Our reporting team experienced a simulated flooding situation.
The water is about 50cm deep, reaching my knees.
No matter how hard I push, the door will not open.
Even when an adult male pushes, the door only budges slightly but refuses to open.
[Kim Hak-soo / Team Leader, Urban Flood Research Team, National Disaster Management Research Institute: Once water reaches about 50cm, it creates an effect similar to having a 110kg boulder blocking the door from the outside. The door becomes so heavy that it cannot be opened.]
Because it becomes impossible to open a closed door and escape once water reaches knee-level, you must evacuate immediately at the slightest sign of rising water.
When climbing stairs with muddy water pouring in, you must grip the handrails tightly with both hands.
It is better to be barefoot than to wear boots that make it difficult to lift your feet as water continues to flow in, or dress shoes that can cause you to slip.
[Choi Yeon-woo / Operations Team Leader, Boramae Safety Experience Center: Since you usually cannot see the stairs due to sediment, lifting your feet too much can cause you to fall backward due to water pressure. You should keep your feet as close to the ground as possible.]
If water begins to rise in underground parking lots or underpasses, it is best to abandon your vehicle.
Even if water only reaches half the height of the tires, there is a risk of being trapped inside the vehicle due to water pressure.
If your evacuation is delayed and you become trapped inside a vehicle, you should open or break the windows, and in the case of an SUV, open the trunk to secure an escape route.
(Video reported by Kim Seung-tae | Video edited by Kim Jong-tae | Graphics by Jang Chae-woo)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.