Banks, Churches, Subway Stations, and More Serve as Heat Relief Shelters... Bucheon City Operates 488 Locations

Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 8th that it will operate 488 heatwave shelters to prepare for the heatwave and minimize casualties.

Since May, the city has been operating 359 senior facilities as heatwave shelters, and from this month, it has expanded the designation to 78 public institutions such as civil service offices, libraries, civic centers, and subway stations, which are currently in operation as heatwave shelters.

In addition, to allow more citizens to escape the heat within their living areas, the city has signed agreements with private institutions to operate 'Infinite (Heatwave and Cold Wave) Rest Shelters.' Currently, 44 NH Banks and 7 churches are operating as rest shelters, and the city plans to expand this to large shopping malls, convenience stores, and other locations.

A heat relief shelter installed at Sang-dong Administrative Welfare Center, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon City
[Photo provided by Bucheon City]

Detailed locations can be found on the Bucheon City website. The city will install guide signs near the shelter entrances to make it easy for citizens to use them and will provide heatwave prevention supplies such as bottled water and fans.

On the 7th, Mayor Jo Yong-ik visited a heatwave shelter operating at a senior center to check its operation status and informed citizens using the shelter about heatwave damage prevention methods. He also inspected construction sites, which are vulnerable to heatwaves, and encouraged the on-site workers.

Mayor Jo said, "As the heatwave continues, I hope citizens actively use the shelters operating throughout the city," adding, "We will do our best to implement heatwave measures to prevent heat-related illnesses."