Protecting Residents' Health and Safety in Summer... Yeongdeungpo-gu Implements '2024 Summer Comprehensive Measures'

May 15~Oct 15, 5 Months... Focused Management on 4 Areas: Heatwave, Flood Control, Safety, and Health
Protecting Heatwave Vulnerable Groups, Preventing Flood Damage, Inspecting Safety Vulnerable Facilities
Prioritizing Residents' Health and Safety, Thorough Preparation for Various Disasters and Safety Accidents

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will implement the ‘2024 Comprehensive Summer Measures’ covering heatwaves, flood control, safety, and health for five months from May 15 to October 15.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this summer is expected to have higher temperatures than average and heavy rainfall due to low pressure and atmospheric instability. Accordingly, the district will strengthen measures in four areas?heatwaves, flood control, safety, and health?compared to last year to thoroughly prevent various summer disasters and safety accidents.

Strengthening Support for Vulnerable Groups to Have a Healthy Summer Amid Heatwaves

The district will expand and operate heatwave relief facilities such as 185 cooling shelters at community centers and senior citizen centers, and 165 shade shelters (an increase of 10 locations) to provide cool resting places during the heat. This year, to protect residents from strong ultraviolet rays and early heatwaves, shade shelters have been operated early since April 18.

Support for vulnerable groups to have a healthy summer amid heatwaves will also be strengthened. Cooling cost support will be expanded to 83 private and home daycare centers and 18 local children’s centers, and health management visits will be intensified for about 4,800 health-vulnerable individuals (an increase of about 200 from last year), including elderly living alone, disabled persons, and chronic disease patients vulnerable to climate change.

In preparation for increased energy usage during summer, energy-saving and welfare projects will also be expanded. This year, the ‘Air Conditioner Outdoor Unit Shade Support Project’ will expand its target not only to energy-vulnerable groups but also to 1,800 general households (residents subscribed to Eco Mileage), covering a total of 2,000 households to alleviate cooling cost burdens during summer. In addition, free replacement of LED lights for vulnerable groups and support for kerosene and LPG will be expanded to realize energy welfare.

Expanding Community-Based Flood Safety Network for ‘Zero Flood Damage’

The ‘Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Wind and Flood Damage Preparedness’ will be formed to begin emergency duty in stages of caution, alert, and severe. This year, a preliminary reinforcement duty stage will be newly established to prepare for sudden heavy rain, and a separate emergency duty team of nearby community center staff will be organized to further strengthen the response system for guerrilla-style sudden downpours.

Proactive measures to prevent flood damage will also be implemented. Sixty-three additional ‘continuous rainwater inlets’ will be installed in flood-prone areas, and ‘detour pipeline construction and existing pipeline improvement’ will be promoted in the habitual flooding section of Mullae-dong. Furthermore, a new ‘personal drainage facility inspection service’ will be implemented for disaster-vulnerable households to prevent flood damage such as sewage backflow.

Additionally, rainwater inlet managers will be assigned to regularly remove trash accumulated on illegally installed rainwater inlet covers and odor blockers, and ‘portable water barriers’ support will be expanded in underground parking lots of apartment complexes and large buildings to thoroughly prepare for heavy rain.

Moreover, ‘Companion Partners and Care Services’ will be expanded for semi-basement households to pre-inspect flood control facilities and assist rapid evacuation in case of flooding. In the event of localized flood damage, a disaster damage investigation team will be activated to promptly identify causes and support damage recovery.

Strengthening Pre-Inspections to Prevent Safety Accidents Against Strong Winds and Heavy Rain

In preparation for strong winds and heavy rain during summer, pre-inspections and maintenance will be conducted on ▲medium and large demolition sites ▲safety-vulnerable facilities rated C, D, and E ▲multi-use facilities such as performance halls and cinemas ▲road facilities. Thorough inspections will also be carried out on flood control facilities including eight rainwater pumping stations, 23 sluice gates (60 gates), retention basins, and detention ponds.

Especially this year, a new project for maintaining hazardous trees around living areas will be launched. Hazardous trees will be removed and pruned to eliminate risk factors in advance.

Focused Health and Hygiene Management to Prevent Food Poisoning in Summer

Intensive inspections will be conducted on group meal service facilities in schools and daycare centers, suppliers, and children’s favorite food preparation and sales businesses where summer food poisoning is a concern. This year, a new ‘Customized Hygiene Technology Support Project’ will be launched targeting hygiene-vulnerable groups such as elderly business operators and homeless meal service centers. This aims to create a safe dining environment by providing hygiene management of ingredients and cooking processes and disinfection services through specialized hygiene companies.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “As abnormal weather becomes commonplace, extreme climates such as localized heavy rain and ultra-strong heatwaves are occurring frequently. We will make every effort to thoroughly prepare for various summer disasters and safety accidents so that all residents can spend the summer healthily and safely.”