[This Person] Why Did Ryugyeonggi Jungnang-gu Mayor Deliver Refreshing Cold Water and Cool Mats to Residents?

'Jungnang Ongdalsaem' Cools Down Heat with a Bottle of Refreshing Water, Hiking Trails and Jungnangcheon Installed... Cool Mats Distributed to Seniors Over 70 with Mobility Issues, Safety Checks Strengthened... Cooling Chairs Installed Throughout for Resting and Cooling Off While Walking

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu (left), is seen together with residents at Jungnang Ongdalsaem installed under Ihwa Bridge over Jungnangcheon.

Ryugyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, is visiting the home of an elderly person who received a cool mat to check on their well-being.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, has started delivering cold water to residents.

Amid continuous heatwave warnings, Mayor Ryoo has added various unique measures to the existing heatwave countermeasures to fully protect residents exhausted by the scorching heat.

First, the safety of the elderly, who suffer the most from the heat, is being cared for. Starting from the 26th, the district distributed cool mats to 200 households of single elderly residents aged 70 and above with limited mobility, allowing them to sleep comfortably even during tropical nights.

In particular, a disaster helper team consisting of 121 members performs elderly-tailored care services by checking safety and well-being via phone calls. Additionally, 181 home-based elderly welfare service personnel provide lunchbox and side dish delivery services for elderly residents who have lost their appetite due to the heat.

Furthermore, to help residents cool down with a bottle of cold water during the heat, the 'Jungnang Ongdalsaem' has been installed. 'Jungnang Ongdalsaem' is an outdoor heat relief shelter operated by the district, equipped with outdoor refrigerators. Cold water is prepared three times a day (10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.) and made available for local residents to drink from July 28 to August 31. Jungnang Ongdalsaem is located at nine walking trail spots in local parks (Bonghwasan, Yongmasan, Gureungsan, etc.) and five riverside locations (Ihwagyo, Jungnanggyo, Jangan-gyo, Jangpyeong-gyo, Surim Grand Park).

When tired while walking, cold chairs have been installed at bus stops for resting. The cooling chairs operate daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer season (June to September) when the outside temperature exceeds 30°C, maintaining a temperature of 20°C.

The district selected five bus stops with high average daily boarding and alighting numbers or wide dispatch intervals (Subway Line 7 Sangbong Station, Seoul Medical Center Rear Gate, Subway Line 7 Junghwa Station, Myeonjung Elementary School, Saeugae Village) to operate the cooling chairs.

Ryoo Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “We will carefully monitor and respond to ensure that residents, already struggling due to the record-breaking heatwave and COVID-19, do not become more exhausted. We ask all residents to refrain from outdoor activities and outings as much as possible during heatwave warnings and to take care of their health.”

Meanwhile, Jungnang-gu operates 127 heat relief shelters at local community centers, welfare centers, senior centers, and other locations to provide resting spaces to cool down. Ninety-three permanent heatshade shelters are also in operation to protect pedestrians from the scorching sun, and water is sprayed three times daily on roads to cool the midday urban heat.