Yeongju City Implements Citizen-Centered Heatwave Damage Prevention Measures... Full Effort to Achieve Zero Casualties

Yeongju City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Yeongju City, Gyeongbuk Province, expects an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwave days this summer. Accordingly, the city will actively implement citizen-centered heatwave damage prevention measures until September 30, the designated heatwave countermeasure period.

On the 28th, the city announced that it will focus all administrative efforts on citizen safety management against heatwaves through a joint T/F team composed of related departments, including the Safety and Disaster Division, Welfare Policy Division, Elderly and Disabled Division, and the Public Health Center.

First, to cool down the heat and provide a comfortable road environment for citizens, starting next month, during heatwave warnings, water spraying operations will be conducted on a 20km section of major arterial roads within Yeongju city.

Yeongju City, Full Effort for a Safe Summer with Water Sprinkler Truck Operation.

The water spraying operation is known to reduce road radiant heat, alleviate urban heat island effects, and remove fine dust, significantly improving air quality. When a heatwave warning is issued, the operation will be carried out from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city plans to lower citizens' discomfort index and prevent heat-related illnesses by operating 35 shaded crosswalk shelters and installing cooling fog systems on Culture Street and at Yeongju General Terminal, utilizing various heatwave mitigation facilities.

Additionally, indoor cooling shelters such as senior centers will be continuously inspected and improved, with support for cooling costs to ensure citizens can use the shelters without inconvenience. For heatwave-vulnerable groups such as the elderly, solitary seniors, and those with mobility difficulties, disaster helpers will actively prevent casualties by checking health through regular phone calls and visits, including customized elderly care services.

A city official stated, “We will investigate and actively reflect and supplement any difficulties or inconveniences to ensure citizens do not suffer from heatwave-related discomfort. We plan to do our best in heatwave preparedness by carefully monitoring each sector to prevent even a single safety accident caused by the heatwave.”