Number of Residents in Landslide-Prone Areas Approaches 110,000 Annually
Due to recent climate change leading to more frequent torrential rains, the number of residents exposed to the risk of landslides is increasing every year. It has been found that approximately 110,000 people currently reside in landslide-prone areas, making the establishment of safety measures an urgent priority.
Over the past five years, the damage caused by landslides has been severe. During this period, the cost of restoring damage from landslides alone reached 456 billion won, and tragically, 32 precious lives were lost.
Looking at the data by region, North Gyeongsang Province had the highest number of residents in vulnerable areas, with approximately 24,000 people. As landslides often occur without warning, the anxiety felt by residents living in these high-risk areas continues to grow.
Government and local authorities must conduct precise inspections of landslide-vulnerable areas and strengthen systems to ensure residents can evacuate safely. Additionally, efforts are needed to expand preventive facilities in locations with a high probability of landslides.
Landslides are terrifying natural disasters that cause both loss of life and property damage. To prevent greater damage in the future, thorough preparation and continuous attention are more important than anything else.