What Measures Are Seoul Districts Taking to Prepare for Heatwaves and Floods?

Jungnang-gu, Gwanak-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Eunpyeong-gu Establish Emergency Response System for Wind and Flood Disasters...Operate Cooling Centers at Senior Centers and More

Recently, due to the climate crisis, the frequency of abnormal weather events such as extreme heatwaves known worldwide as "murderous heatwaves" and sudden heavy rains causing "great floods" has been increasing globally. The inability to respond to unexpected situations has led to disaster-level damages, including loss of life and property in many places.

Accordingly, Seoul's autonomous districts are showing efforts to prepare for summer heatwaves and floods, especially for vulnerable groups.

Jungnang-gu has prepared a "Comprehensive Summer Flood and Water Damage Countermeasure" to minimize flood and water damage in the upcoming summer. The district has designated the period from the 15th of this month to October 15th as the comprehensive flood and water damage countermeasure period and plans to make every effort to prevent damage. This year, they will also operate a "Companion Partner" program to assist disaster-vulnerable households such as semi-basement homes, supporting their swift evacuation in case of flooding. Additionally, 55 underground households with a history of flooding will be linked one-on-one with assigned public officials to provide weather updates and evacuation support. The district has also completed dredging and cleaning of rivers, sewers, and rainwater inlets and plans to continuously maintain these during the flood and water damage countermeasure period to lead damage prevention efforts. District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, "We will prioritize protecting the lives and property of residents and establish thorough preparedness to ensure that no damage occurs from typhoons or heavy rains."

Gwanak-gu has entered an emergency response system to strongly prepare for the upcoming summer heatwaves and flood and water damage, ensuring that all residents can have a healthy and safe summer. The district has prepared measures in five key areas closely related to residents' lives (▲heatwave ▲flood control ▲safety ▲health ▲resolution of daily inconveniences) and established the "2024 Summer Comprehensive Measures," which will be actively implemented for five months until October 15th. First, the district operates a 24-hour "Heatwave Countermeasure Comprehensive Situation Support Office," monitoring real-time heatwave information and striving to prevent and respond to damage by quickly disseminating information in emergencies. Notably, this year, they will operate a "KakaoTalk Heatwave Comprehensive Support Situation Room" to enable even faster communication during crisis situations.

Gwangjin-gu opened a Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on the 14th to thoroughly prepare for summer flood and water damage situations and has begun full-scale operations. The district will promote the 2024 flood and water damage countermeasures through various projects, including maintenance of major flood control facilities and flood-vulnerable areas (facilities), installation of flood prevention facilities for semi-basement and underground homes, dredging of sewer pipes and cleaning of rainwater inlets, stockpiling disaster relief supplies, securing temporary housing for disaster victims, and supporting flood insurance premiums. District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, "We will do our best to implement flood control measures so that all residents can spend a safe summer."

Eunpyeong-gu will actively implement comprehensive heatwave countermeasures to prevent casualties and facility accidents caused by summer heatwaves. During the heatwave countermeasure period, Eunpyeong-gu operates a situation management TF composed of practical departments to carry out activities such as situation management and monitoring of heat-related illnesses to prevent heatwave damage. Through disaster helpers and visiting nurses, they provide welfare calls and health management to elderly living alone, disabled persons, those with mobility difficulties, and residents of disaster-vulnerable facilities. Additionally, during peak daytime temperatures, they plan to intensively spray water on six main arterial roads (27.8 km) including Eunpyeong-ro to prevent urban heat island effects. Eunpyeong District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, "We will do our best to minimize casualties, facility safety accidents, and residents' inconveniences through thorough preparation and readiness."