The Truth About Flooding: 5 Shocking Reasons Cities Are Sinking in the Age of Climate Change

Flooding Is No Longer Someone Else’s Problem

Do you remember the shocking incident that occurred in Incheon on August 13, 2025? Within just a few hours, 27 cases of road flooding and 8 cases of residential flooding took place. This is no mere coincidence. As we enter an era of climate change, flooding is becoming a part of our daily lives. But why is this phenomenon happening?

Flooding is no longer a story from distant lands. Recently, the damage caused by heavy rain-induced flooding has surged dramatically in our country as well. According to data from the Meteorological Administration, the frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased 2.5 times over the past 30 years. This indicator reveals just how grave the reality we face truly is.

Urbanization is also a major factor worsening the flooding problem. In cities covered with asphalt and concrete, rainwater cannot seep into the ground and instead rushes into drainage systems. This overloads drainage infrastructure and heightens the risk of floods.

In addition, aging infrastructure poses serious challenges. Drainage facilities installed 30 to 40 years ago struggle to cope with today’s rainfall patterns. This makes entire cities more vulnerable to flooding.

Flooding is now all of our concern. On a personal level, it is essential to identify flood-prone areas and prepare emergency supplies. But more importantly, responses at the city and government levels are crucial. It is time for long-term investments such as building green infrastructure, adopting smart drainage systems, and upgrading old facilities.

In this age of climate change, flooding is a reality we must live with. However, it is not a fate we have to accept helplessly. Rather, it is a challenge that demands our active response and prevention efforts. Along with shifting our awareness of flooding, now is the time to seek practical solutions.

The Real Cause of Flooding: The Hidden Secrets Beyond Just Heavy Rain

We often tend to think of flooding simply as a natural phenomenon caused by heavy rainfall. However, the reality is far more complex. When we dig into the root causes of flooding, we discover a web of structural issues within our society intricately intertwined.

Climate Change: The New Normal of Extreme Rainfall

According to meteorological data, the frequency of extreme rainfall events in our country has increased 2.5 times over the past 30 years. This is not mere coincidence but a direct consequence of climate change. As climate change boosts the moisture content in the atmosphere, downpours of enormous volume occurring within a short period have become increasingly common.

The Paradox of Urbanization: Concrete Jungles Blocking Waterways

Urban development has brought convenience to our lives but has also introduced severe side effects. Cities paved with asphalt and concrete strip away the land’s ability to absorb rainwater. While over 50% of rain would naturally be absorbed into the soil, this figure drops below 15% within urban areas. Consequently, rainwater rapidly flows into streets and drainage systems, heightening the risk of flooding.

Aging Infrastructure: Cities Harboring Time Bombs

Did you know that many cities’ drainage systems were installed 30 to 40 years ago? These outdated facilities are simply insufficient to cope with today’s rainfall patterns. Aging water and sewage pipes are prone to bursts and erosion, weakening the ground beneath and ultimately making entire urban areas vulnerable to flooding.

Sinkholes: The Hidden Partner of Flooding

There is a close link between flooding and sinkholes. Excessive underground water extraction creates voids beneath the surface, which lead to ground subsidence and sinkholes. This phenomenon, known as “increased effective stress,” poses a serious threat to urban safety.

Flooding is not just about heavy rain. It’s the outcome of multiple intertwined factors: climate change, reckless urbanization, aging infrastructure, and groundwater management problems. Now is the time to comprehensively understand and tackle these complex causes. Addressing flooding requires more than temporary fixes; it demands a fundamental rethinking of our urban structures and ways of life.

Incheon Torrential Rain Disaster: Into the Heart of the Flood Crisis

Road flooding, subway service suspensions, pump station inundations… On August 13, 2025, Incheon faced a catastrophic disaster fueled by extreme rainfall. This event starkly exposed our vulnerability in the era of climate change. Let’s take a closer look at the vivid realities on the ground and the government’s response.

The Reality of Flood Damage

• Road Flooding: Twenty-seven cases of road flooding were reported. Major arterial roads were submerged, paralyzing traffic across the entire city.
• Flooded Homes and Factories: Eight homes and two factories were inundated, severely impacting residents’ daily lives and economic activities.
• Transportation Crisis: Train services were halted on sections of the Gyeongin National Railway (Seoul Subway Line 1) and Incheon Subway Line 1, leaving countless citizens stranded.
• Infrastructure Breakdown: The most alarming issue was the flooding of pump stations. Facilities meant to prevent flooding themselves succumbed to water, worsening the situation.

Government Response and Its Limitations

Incheon Mayor Kim Dong-yeon visited the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to assess the damage, but it was clear that the crisis was already beyond immediate control. The government’s response included:

1. Access Restrictions: Entry was blocked at 13 roadway and underpass locations, 12 rivers, and one park.
2. Emergency Recovery Operations: Drainage pumps were activated and restoration efforts were carried out in flooded areas.
3. Ensuring Citizen Safety: Evacuation orders were issued to residents in flood-prone areas and rescue operations were conducted.

However, these measures were largely reactive. To truly solve the root problems, a long-term and systematic approach is essential.

Lessons Left by the Flood Disaster

The Incheon torrential rain disaster offers several critical lessons:

1. Urgent Infrastructure Upgrades: Outdated drainage systems and pump stations desperately need improvement.
2. Climate Change Preparedness: Urban planning must be restructured to withstand extreme weather phenomena.
3. Enhanced Public Education: Citizens must be better educated on how to respond during flood emergencies.

Incheon’s flooding crisis is not just a local issue—it is a vivid warning of the risks all cities face in the age of climate change. Now is the time to seriously contemplate how to build a city that coexists with water.

What We Can Do: Flood Prevention and Response Strategies

How can individuals, cities, and governments stay safe from flooding? Let’s take a close look—from emergency action protocols to smart urban infrastructure.

Individual-Level Flood Preparedness

1. Real-Time Information Monitoring: Use the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s disaster alert text service to track flood-prone areas in real time.

2. Emergency Supplies Kit:

   • Portable battery
   • Flashlight
   • First aid kit
   • At least three days’ worth of drinking water and emergency food

3. Safety Rules to Remember:

   • Never drive through flooded areas (a vehicle can be swept away in just 15cm of water)
   • Quickly evacuate from underground spaces
   • Avoid using electrical appliances during flooding

City-Level Flood Response

1. Building Green Infrastructure:

   • Creating rain gardens
   • Expanding use of permeable paving materials
   • Increasing urban green spaces

2. Implementing Smart Drainage Systems:

   • Installing real-time water level monitoring sensors
   • Developing AI-driven automatic drainage systems

3. Upgrading Aging Infrastructure:

   • Thorough inspection and replacement of water and sewage pipes older than 30 years
   • Detecting and reinforcing underground cavities

Government Policy Recommendations

1. Strengthening Flood Risk Assessment Systems:

   • Conducting precise risk evaluations that incorporate climate change scenarios
   • Developing predictive models using big data

2. Increasing Disaster Management Budgets:

   • Long-term investments in flood prevention infrastructure
   • Creating incentive systems to encourage private sector participation

3. Enhancing Public Education:

   • Conducting regular flood preparedness drills
   • Integrating disaster response education into school curricula

Future-Oriented Urban Design

Inspired by the Dutch concept of “cities living with water” and Singapore’s “ABC Waters Programme,” we can design smart cities resilient to flooding.

1. Adopting Nature-Based Solutions:

   • Developing urban parks with flood retention capabilities
   • Establishing rainwater storage and recycling systems

2. Designing Multifunctional Infrastructure:

   • Creating multipurpose spaces that serve as parking lots during normal times and flood reservoirs during emergencies
   • Delaying rainwater runoff and reducing urban heat islands with rooftop gardens

Flooding is no longer an unavoidable disaster. From personal preparedness to government policies, if we work together, we can build flood-safe cities. In this era of climate change, we must take a bold step forward toward “cities coexisting with water.”

Designing the Future City: A Flood-Resilient Smart City Coexisting with Water

In a future where extreme rainfall becomes more frequent, how should we design our cities? Innovative examples from the Netherlands and Singapore offer fresh approaches to addressing flooding challenges. Through their experiences, we catch a glimpse of the hope that city designs in harmony with nature can bring.

The Netherlands' Concept of a 'City Living with Water'

The Netherlands faces constant flood risk, with one-third of its land lying below sea level. Due to this geographic reality, they have adopted an innovative strategy of living with water rather than fighting against it.

• Water Spaces: Artificial canals and reservoirs are scattered throughout the city to store excess water.
• Floating Buildings: Houses and offices are built to move up and down with changing water levels.
• Water Squares: Multifunctional plazas that serve as public squares during dry weather and water storage areas during heavy rains.

Singapore’s 'ABC Waters' Program

Singapore’s "Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters" program transforms urban waterways and reservoirs from simple water management facilities into vibrant living spaces.

• Ecological Restoration: Concrete channels are restored to natural rivers, boosting biodiversity.
• Recreational Spaces: Waterfront areas are connected with parks to support citizens’ leisure activities.
• Educational Venues: Facilities are created where people can directly observe and learn about the water cycle.

Blueprint for a Korean-Style Flood-Resilient Smart City

Drawing from these global examples, we can envision a flood-prepared smart city model suited to Korea’s unique circumstances.

1. Distributed Rainwater Management Systems: Small-scale retention facilities installed throughout the city to effectively disperse heavy rainfall.
2. Expanded Permeable Pavements: Use of permeable materials on roads and parking lots to promote natural drainage.
3. Mandatory Rooftop Gardens: Green roofs on large buildings absorb rainwater and help mitigate urban heat island effects.
4. AI-Based Flood Prediction System: Real-time flood risk forecasting and response by combining weather data with urban infrastructure information.

This approach offers more than just flood prevention; it promises multiple benefits such as improving urban ecosystems and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. A smart city coexisting with water presents a new paradigm that transforms the unavoidable challenges of climate change into opportunities.

The cities of the future will no longer try to control nature but will respect its flow and adapt our lifestyles accordingly. This is true sustainable development—the most valuable legacy we can leave for future generations.