A South Korean research team has developed a new technology to predict urban flooding in high-density city areas [1].
This advancement allows city planners and emergency services to anticipate the exact extent and depth of flooding during extreme weather events. As climate change increases the frequency of heavy rainfall, the ability to model urban water flow is critical for preventing loss of life and infrastructure damage [3].
The research team included Kim Hyung-jun of the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) Water Resources Research Division [1, 2]. The team focused their simulations on the area surrounding Gangnam Station in Seoul, one of the city's most congested commercial hubs [1, 2].
According to the simulations, an hourly rainfall intensity of 100 mm [1] could result in flood depths of up to one meter in the Gangnam Station vicinity [2]. The model analyzes how water accumulates in urban environments where concrete surfaces prevent natural absorption, a phenomenon that often leads to rapid flash flooding.
By utilizing this technology, authorities can identify specific vulnerability points within a city's layout. The KICT researchers said the system provides rapid predictions, enabling faster deployment of barriers or evacuation orders when rainfall thresholds are met [3].
The team said the model is intended to be applicable beyond Seoul, providing a framework for other metropolitan areas to assess their risk levels against varying intensities of precipitation [1, 3].
“Hourly rainfall of 100 mm could flood Gangnam Station area by up to one meter.”
The development of high-precision urban flood modeling marks a shift from general weather warnings to site-specific risk management. By quantifying the exact depth of potential flooding in specific neighborhoods, cities can transition from reactive emergency responses to proactive infrastructure adjustments and targeted evacuation protocols.
