All-Out Effort to Minimize Heatwave Damage... Jungnang-gu Holds Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Meeting of Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at 10 AM... Reviewing Resident Damage and Discussing Response Plans
Activation of Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters... Expanding Heatwave Mitigation Facilities and Focusing on Vulnerable Groups

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) held a Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting to respond swiftly to the ongoing severe heatwave and protect the safety of its residents.

Presiding over the meeting, Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi closely examined whether there were any damages to residents and inspected the operation status of various heatwave mitigation facilities such as cooling shelters, urging thorough preparedness. In particular, he instructed to ensure full protection of vulnerable groups and the establishment of an emergency response system.

Currently, the district is maintaining a Level 2 emergency work system with 1,082 employees working in response to the elevated heatwave warning. Following Seoul City's upgrade of heatwave response to the ‘Severe’ level on the 6th, the organization was restructured from the previous Heatwave Comprehensive Support Situation Room, which operated with 5 teams and 10 departments, to the Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters with 10 teams and 18 departments, further strengthening the heatwave response system and concentrating administrative efforts.

First, the operation of heatwave mitigation facilities will be expanded. Twenty additional cooling shade shelters were installed, increasing the total to 171 locations, 50 more than last year. The operation period of Jungnang Ongdalsaem, a free water refrigerator installed along outdoor walking trails, was extended from the original August 15 to August 19.

Additionally, the operation of water spraying trucks, which directly lower temperatures by spraying water on major roads and urban areas, will be strengthened. Due to the recent frequent issuance of special weather reports, operating hours have been extended from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the spraying frequency increased to 2 to 4 times daily.

Moreover, small water cleaning trucks are being utilized to clean not only major arterial roads but also alleys and general roads thoroughly, and additional private water spraying trucks have been deployed to help reduce urban temperatures.

In particular, focused management of heatwave-vulnerable groups such as the elderly and homeless people on the streets is underway. Efforts include ▲strengthening intensive monitoring of vulnerable groups through phone calls and visits ▲enhancing patrols and protection activities for homeless people ▲conducting inspections of construction sites for heatwave preparedness and adjusting working hours to protect vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, various promotional media such as text messages, SNS, and electronic billboards will be actively used to inform residents about heatwave preparedness guidelines and precautions.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, stated, “The continuous heatwave is threatening the safety of our residents. Since the safety of residents is always the top priority, we will thoroughly prepare for heatwave prevention to minimize any damage to our residents.”