"Everyday Life Collapsed": Geoje Residents Face Severe Inconvenience Due to Power and Water Outages Caused by Heavy Rain

"With no air conditioning or fans, and no usable restrooms, how are we supposed to live at home?"

Choi, 32, wiped sweat from his forehead as he spoke at an officetel in Jangseungpo-dong, Geoje, on the afternoon of the 19th, as daytime temperatures in the Geoje region exceeded 30°C (86°F).

Power and water supplies to 207 households at this officetel have been cut off for three days following the flooding of the basement electrical room due to torrential rain during the Liberation Day holiday.

In front of the building, two fire department drainage trucks were deployed, hard at work pumping out the water that filled the basement.

A notice posted on the entrance door of the convenience store inside the building read, "Business is suspended due to a power outage until service is restored."

The surrounding area was quiet, and the interior of the building was dark with the lights out.

Residents explained that as the power and water outages prolonged, the majority of occupants evacuated to acquaintances' homes or public bathhouses (jjimjilbang).

Choi expressed frustration, saying, "We received bottled water, but the costs of staying at jjimjilbangs keep piling up, which is a burden," adding, "We haven't received any clear information on when electricity and water will be back on."

The officetel's management office head also reported that a significant number of residents have left the building and are experiencing hardships due to the three-day blackout and water outage.

"Both electricity and water were cut off when the third basement level, where the electrical room is located, was flooded," the management head said. "Among the households in the 207 units, those with places to go near Geoje have scattered to acquaintances' homes and are living under difficult conditions."

The official continued, "To resolve this quickly, we requested support from Geoje City and the fire department, and pumping out the water has been in full swing starting today. Since it has been three days, we were very worried, but with the fire department helping out, there now seems to be a sign of a solution."

Residents who are unable to return to their daily routines because apartment complex electrical facilities were flooded during the heavy rain remain stranded in various parts of Geoje.

In a large-scale apartment complex in Yangjeong-dong, Geoje, resident inconvenience due to power and water outages is also severe.

Choo, 41, who lives on the 10th floor of this apartment, sighed and said, "Because of the blackout, getting to my apartment means walking up the stairs. With the weather so hot, it is an extremely inconvenient situation."

"My cell phone cannot be charged, and the water is cut off so I can't even use the bathroom properly," he emphasized, adding, "Everyday life has collapsed."

Choo has currently relocated to an acquaintance's home.

Power supply to this apartment complex was cut off after the extreme downpour, and nearby streams overflowed, sending water rushing into two levels of the underground parking lot, resulting in the flooding of most residents' passenger cars.

It is reported that over 300 vehicles suffered flood damage.

With water cut off, it is difficult to prepare meals inside the households, and as elevators are out of service, delivery workers are repeatedly refusing deliveries.

According to the power outage damage status compiled by Geoje City as of 3:00 p.m. today, 11 apartment complexes comprising 2,029 households have yet to have their electricity restored due to flooded power reception facilities.

It is estimated that 340 detached houses are also suffering from power outages.

The city is reportedly guiding residents experiencing power outage damage to shelters and other facilities.

The Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) Gyeongnam Headquarters is also providing generators and other support to regions where power supplies were cut off due to flooding.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.