Winter is Coming Soon... Seoul Districts Activate 'Cold Wave Measures'

Comprehensive Winter Measures in Gangseo-gu and Others

With a cold wave forecasted this winter, Seoul's autonomous districts have simultaneously announced comprehensive winter measures. Starting from the 15th of this month and lasting for four months, 25 districts including Gangseo-gu have prepared the '2024 Winter Comprehensive Measures' covering 4 to 5 areas such as health and environment, cold wave response, snow removal, safety, and livelihood.

A road with heating cables installed. Provided by Seongdong-gu.

As a cold wave measure, Gangseo-gu will expand the Cold Wave Situation Management Task Force (TF) to six departments, including the medical department, to respond promptly to cold wave situations such as managing cold-related illnesses.

They have designated 67 cold wave shelters and 2 temporary evacuation centers to support residents in need of help during cold waves to stay safely. The number of heated seats at bus stops for the convenience of public transportation users will be more than doubled from last year, operating about 170 seats. Heating cost and meal support will also be provided to vulnerable groups such as single-parent families during the cold wave.

Eunpyeong-gu has established a cold wave situation management system by department and is promoting various activities such as providing heating supplies to elderly living alone, checking on vulnerable groups, operating cold wave shelters, and patrolling homeless people. In particular, 56 locations including welfare centers, senior centers, and community service centers have been designated as cold wave shelters and will be opened for use by local residents whenever a cold wave advisory is issued. Around bus stops, 178 heated seats and 11 smart shelters will be operated, and pre-inspections have begun.

Yeongdeungpo-gu will expand protection and support for vulnerable groups this winter. They will provide winter supplies to 300 low-income energy-vulnerable households, expand winter fuel cost support for emergency aid recipients, and alleviate heating cost burdens. For about 5,100 people including elderly living alone and those with mobility difficulties, they will strengthen home health care services to monitor their health during the winter.

Meanwhile, Seongdong-gu has prepared a comprehensive snow removal plan, installing road heating cables on a total of 51 roads spanning 9.44 km within the district. They also operate a 24-hour disaster safety countermeasure headquarters and have secured 2,086 tons of snow removal agents, 1,472 personnel, and 261 snow removal equipment.