Nowon-gu Prioritizes Resident Safety with Full Effort to Combat Heatwave

Operation of Heat Relief Shelters and Installation of Healing Refrigerators at 14 Locations Including Walking Trails and Riverside
Protection Measures for Heat-Vulnerable Groups Such as Seniors and Disabled
Operation of Public Convenience Facilities for Heatwave Preparedness Including Shade Tents and Cooling Fogs

Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it is making every effort to respond to the heatwave to prevent casualties and the occurrence of heat-related illnesses.

As the recent heatwave continues, concerns about the occurrence of various heat-related illnesses are growing. This summer is expected to have higher temperatures than last year, so the district prepared a ‘4 Major Heatwave Comprehensive Measures’ plan early and is actively responding.

First, the district is operating the Healing Refrigerator, a representative heatwave countermeasure project in Nowon-gu to prevent heat-related illnesses among residents. It was originally scheduled to operate from July 15, but due to the prolonged rainy season, its effectiveness was compromised, so the operation was postponed and started on July 29 when the heatwave began in earnest. By August 4, just seven days after operation began, 313,280 bottles of water were supplied.

Various measures have also been prepared to protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. With the early start of the heatwave this year, 277 cooling shelters have been designated and are currently operating at senior centers, welfare centers, community service centers, district office lobbies, and local hotels. As of August 4, about 37,600 residents, including 129 users of nighttime cooling shelters (hotels), have used the shelters to escape the heat.

The Smart Care Team, which plays a role in the local welfare safety net, is conducting regular visits to vulnerable groups to check on their well-being intensively. The public health center’s visiting nurses are managing 2,900 health management targets, including elderly living alone, those aged 75 and older, disabled persons, and chronic patients. When a heatwave advisory is issued, they disseminate disaster information, conduct daily phone checks for intensive management targets, and guide relocation to evacuation facilities depending on the environment, operating a special management system.

On June 24, proactive support was provided to low-income households with a total of 450 electric fans, including 200 units donated by Suamsa Temple and the district’s Education Welfare Foundation.

In addition, the district is also focusing on convenience measures for residents to escape the heat, such as operating a total of 180 shade shelters including 16 Smart Shade Shelters where pedestrians can avoid sunlight while waiting for signals, operating cooling fog systems in parks, running seven water-spraying trucks to alleviate road heat island effects, and operating water play facilities and water parks in parks.

Regarding the Korea Science and Technology University Water Park, as of August 4, 45,531 people visited, an increase of 14,488 compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, the district has formed a Heatwave Situation Management T/F Team consisting of 10 departments responsible for heatwave-related tasks to establish a real-time heatwave situation management and response system. They are making every effort to respond to heatwave damage through on-site inspections and providing heatwave preparedness guidelines via SNS.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, "With the heatwave continuing day after day, thorough preparation against heat-related illnesses is necessary," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that residents can spend the summer safely and healthily."