Gangbuk-gu Summer Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters Fully Mobilized for Heatwave and Flood Response

District Mayor Lee Sun-hee, "Focusing All Efforts on Disaster Prevention"... Strengthening Protection Measures for Heat-Vulnerable Groups

Operation of Heatwave Countermeasures Headquarters and Disaster Safety Situation Room, 775 ‘Disaster Helpers’ Active 24 Hours

Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Lee Sun-hee) has formed the ‘2023 Summer Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters’ to proactively respond and protect residents’ lives from heatwaves and flood damage this summer.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this summer is expected to experience high temperatures starting in June, with many hot days in July and August. It is necessary to prepare for intensified abnormal temperatures and increased tropical nights.

Accordingly, the district designated the period from the 15th of last month for six months as the comprehensive summer disaster countermeasure period and established a total of 18 detailed measures in the fields of ▲heatwave ▲flood control ▲safety ▲health.

District Mayor Lee Sun-hee first organized the Heatwave Countermeasures Headquarters and Disaster Safety Situation Room, operating 775 disaster helpers 24 hours a day in addition to 50 staff members.

In particular, protection measures for heat-vulnerable groups have been strengthened. For 2,174 elderly living alone, 154 disaster helpers are assigned to check on their well-being every other day during heatwave warnings.

Additionally, 53 visiting medical staff provide nursing care to 3,890 mobility-impaired or chronically ill individuals. During heatwaves, they guide residents to cooling shelters and coordinate with 119 emergency medical teams to provide medical services in case of emergencies.

Cooling shelters have been set up at 131 locations including community centers, senior citizen centers, and outdoor rest areas. This year, the district newly installed two smart shelters in front of Exit 6 of Suyu Station and Exit 1 of Mia Sageori Station, where foot traffic is heavy. Equipped with heating and cooling facilities, Wi-Fi, and phone chargers, these shelters offer a cooler and more convenient environment. The shelters extend their hours until 9 p.m. during heatwave warnings and operate until September 30.

The ‘Gangbuk Oasis Refrigerator,’ which provides free cool bottled water (500ml), will be expanded from four units last year to five this year along the riverbanks.

The district conducts safety inspections of hazardous facilities for outdoor workers at construction sites. It also provides guidelines on rest breaks to companies and supplies beverages to workers.

During summer vacation, meals or electronic meal cards worth 8,000 KRW per meal are provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to children at risk of food insecurity. Patrols for homeless individuals are also intensified, distributing relief supplies such as bottled water upon discovery and encouraging admission to protective facilities, thereby offering welfare services.

To prevent urban heat island effects where heat accumulates in the city, four water cleaning vehicles will operate to wash main roads such as Dobong-ro, Samyang-ro, Hancheon-ro, and 4.19-ro.

Furthermore, the district designates May each year as ‘Flood and Wind Disaster Prevention Month’ to fundamentally block flood damage.

Large quantities of sandbags are stocked in areas prone to flooding, and 86 disaster-vulnerable households have been selected. Care officials numbering 75 and 113 ‘Donghaeng Partners’ (accompanying partners) are assigned to support recovery efforts in case of damage.

This year, the district newly operates ‘Donghaeng Partners’ as support personnel for flood disaster-vulnerable individuals. The number of disaster-vulnerable households expanded from 50 to 86 last year, and the number of Donghaeng Partners increased from 85 to 188.

An agreement was signed with the 220th Regiment of the 56th Division of the military to support recovery personnel. In case of disaster victims, 32 shelters capable of accommodating 27,271 people and 142 relief kits are kept ready.

Gangbuk-gu reported zero cases of flood or heatwave damage last year due to its thorough summer measures. The district visited 3,101 elderly living alone, and made welfare calls to 22,097 people. Among them, 49 elderly individuals also received medical treatment.

District Mayor Lee Sun-hee said, “This summer is expected to have frequent scorching heat. We will focus all our efforts on disaster prevention to protect the lives and property of residents and carefully support heatwave and flood-vulnerable groups to prevent any damage.”