Typhoon Khanun Makes Landfall Near Geoje at 9:20 AM
Due to the northward approach of Typhoon Khanun, local governments have launched emergency safety inspections at construction sites. Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District (center), and public officials are visiting the Daejo 1 District housing redevelopment maintenance project site to check safety preparedness. (Photo by Eunpyeong District)
Until recently busy preparing for the heatwave, Seoul's local governments are now bustling again to prepare for the typhoon. Typhoon Khanun, the 6th typhoon of the season, made landfall near Geoje, Gyeongnam at around 9:20 a.m. on the 10th and is moving northward across the Korean Peninsula, prompting efforts to prevent damage.
Although the typhoon weakened to a medium scale, contrary to initial expectations, it is expected to cross the country over approximately 15 hours until dawn on the 11th, requiring thorough preparation. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a typhoon advisory for the entire Seoul area at 9 a.m. on the 10th.
Inspecting Construction Sites and Supporting Vulnerable Households
Jongno-gu convened an emergency countermeasure meeting two days earlier on the 8th and decided to mobilize all administrative power centered on the Jongno-gu Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to minimize resident damage. Previously, the district completed extensive inspections of flood-prone low-lying areas, steep slopes, aging retaining walls, stone walls, construction site barriers, outdoor advertisements, and street trees vulnerable to strong winds.
They activated a companion partner system composed of nearby residents and neighborhood leaders to check everything from the removal of rainwater drain covers to the operation of water barriers, backflow prevention facilities, and submersible pumps. They also pre-controlled dangerous sections including rivers and designated local residents and police as river patrol teams to prepare for emergencies.
Dongdaemun-gu also held an emergency countermeasure meeting on the afternoon of the 8th, chaired by Deputy Mayor Choi Hong-yeon, and established a 24-hour emergency contact system to prepare. On the afternoon of the 9th, they conducted on-site inspections of disaster-vulnerable facilities and infrastructure. They visited the Baebongsan landslide-prone area, the Dapsimni 17th district housing redevelopment construction site, and the Jeonnong and Jangan rainwater pumping stations to check flood-prone areas and flood control facilities. Care workers committed to maintaining a 24-hour emergency contact system for 102 flood-vulnerable households in the district.
Gwangjin-gu held an emergency countermeasure meeting on the morning of the 9th, chaired by Mayor Kim Kyung-ho, with all department heads, 15 practical department heads, and 15 neighborhood chiefs attending to review departmental measures and detailed response plans. They also conducted on-site inspections of vulnerable facilities such as semi-basement houses, flood control facilities, landslide-prone areas, and the Han River embankment.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, also visited large construction sites vulnerable to strong winds, areas with dangerous trees, and exposed mountain slopes on the 9th to check safety conditions. She visited the Daejo 1 district housing redevelopment site to inspect tower cranes vulnerable to strong winds, construction barriers, installation of fall prevention nets, and secured emergency evacuation routes, urging thorough safety measures from on-site personnel.
Preparing for Heatwaves Until September Even After the Typhoon Passes
Each district office was busy preparing for the heatwave until just before. Seodaemun-gu provided bottled water to 420 elderly households vulnerable to heat on the 8th, checking on elderly households unable to use cooling centers due to mobility difficulties. Dongjak-gu deployed 10 water spraying vehicles (5t and 15t) intermittently to cool the heat on roads by washing two-lane roads and side streets to prevent urban heat island effects.
Although they are currently busy preparing for the typhoon due to Khanun's northward movement, the heatwave is expected to continue for some time after the typhoon passes, so heatwave preparedness activities by each district office will continue for the time being. Dongjak-gu plans to connect about 135 disaster helpers, including elderly care customized life support workers and volunteers, with over 1,100 elderly people requiring health and safety checks to conduct daily phone calls during heatwave alerts and visit homes if calls are not answered.
Dobong-gu opened a cooling center called ‘Hyuga (休家)’ on the 10th of last month, utilizing the first and second floors of the existing district office, consisting of 11 rooms, and plans to operate it until the 30th of next month. Yongsan-gu will continue the 'Comprehensive Summer Heatwave Countermeasures' established in May for the time being and plans to conduct on-site inspections of outdoor workers directly employed by the district or engaged in subcontracting, service, or consignment projects until the 1st of next month to reduce the occurrence of heat-related illnesses.
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