Seocho-gu wins ministerial award for AI flood monitoring system

Seocho-gu, Seoul, has received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award for its ‘AI Flood Measurement and Warning System’ at the 2026 Local Government CCTV Utilization Excellence Case Competition. This marks the district's second consecutive year of recognition in smart disaster safety following a grand prize last year.

Developed in response to severe flooding in the Gangnam Station area in 2022, the system utilizes Vision AI technology integrated with public CCTV to monitor roads and rivers 24/7. The AI calculates flood depth and water velocity by using standard reference points, such as vehicle tire wheels and manhole specifications. When indicators exceed safety thresholds, the system automatically notifies officials and activates onsite safety measures, including laser barriers to block vehicle entry and floor-projected warning messages to alert pedestrians.

To improve efficiency and reduce server costs, the district is also implementing ‘Edge AI CCTV,’ which analyzes footage directly on the camera and transmits only essential information to the control center. Seocho-gu plans to expand its Edge AI deployment to 196 units by the end of the year, focusing on crime-prone and high-risk areas.