Gwangju City Implements 'Special Heatwave Measures' Including Expansion of Cooling Centers

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City is implementing special measures against heatwaves, including expanding cooling shelters and operating disaster helpers.

Gwangju City announced on the 6th that it will provide special management for heatwave-vulnerable groups following the first issuance of a heatwave warning on the 2nd and the expectation that the heat will persist for some time.

This summer is expected to have temperatures somewhat higher than average, with an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves.

In preparation, since May, the city has activated a heatwave disaster response system to prevent damage to agricultural and livestock products, and the autonomous districts are working together to fully implement heatwave countermeasures.

As part of this special plan, the number of cooling shelters such as senior centers and administrative welfare centers near neighborhoods has been expanded to 1,548 locations to provide places for heatwave-vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and citizens with mobility difficulties to rest and avoid the heat. The city also provided 300 million KRW in cooling expenses support to the autonomous districts.

Additionally, to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and those with mobility difficulties, about 2,080 people including social workers, life support workers, and voluntary disaster prevention teams have been designated as disaster helpers by each autonomous district. They closely cooperate with the districts to check on the elderly living alone and others by phone, monitoring their well-being daily during the special warning period to prevent casualties.

To mitigate the heat island effect, road sprinkling devices have been installed along a 4 km section from Geungnakgyo to Songjeong Station and around the National Asia Culture Center, and sprinkling trucks are being fully deployed on 273.45 km of roads near densely populated areas to lower the temperature of asphalt heated by the sun.

Near crosswalks with heavy pedestrian traffic, 462 parasol-type shade tents are being operated to help citizens escape the heat.

Furthermore, to manage heat-related illness patients during the heatwave period, 24 medical institutions operating emergency rooms and the integrated disease and health system are monitoring the occurrence of heat-related illnesses through a heat illness surveillance system.

Park Nam-eon, Director of the City’s Citizen Safety Office, said, “Most heatwave-related patients occur at outdoor workplaces, roadsides, or fields,” and added, “When a heatwave special warning is issued, please refrain from outdoor activities, drink water frequently, and especially avoid outdoor activities between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., the hottest time of day.”