Seoul Also 'Frozen Solid'... First Cold Wave Warning of the Year in the Northeastern Area

City Implements 24-Hour Situation Management System

After the beginning of spring, a cold wave warning was issued for the first time this year in the northeastern part of Seoul as temperatures dropped below freezing. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has entered a 24-hour situation management system to support vulnerable groups such as the homeless during the cold wave.

According to the city, as of 9 p.m. on the 3rd, a cold wave warning was issued for the northeastern area of Seoul, while cold wave advisories were issued for the southeastern, southwestern, and northwestern areas. A cold wave warning is issued when the morning minimum temperature is expected to remain below minus 15 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days.

On the 3rd, as a severe Ipchun cold wave swept through with the morning wind chill in Seoul dropping to minus 13 degrees Celsius, a citizen passing through Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul is holding an iced Americano. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

The city and its 25 autonomous districts have activated a comprehensive cold wave support situation room and will begin 24-hour emergency duty starting at 9 p.m., the time the warning was issued. The situation room monitors weather conditions, damage occurrences, protection of vulnerable groups and facilities, and responds to any incidents.

To prevent casualties from the cold wave, the city calls vulnerable elderly residents to check on their well-being and visits them directly if they do not answer. For low-income elderly, the city provides meal deliveries including lunch boxes and side dishes, and for the homeless, emergency shelter and cold-weather supplies are provided.

In particular, during this special weather advisory period, the 'Cold Wave Shelter' established within the offices of the 25 autonomous districts will be expanded and operated as a 'Cold Wave Emergency Evacuation Center' open 24 hours a day. Previously, the cold wave shelters operated only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A city official explained, "We decided to strengthen operations because district offices are easily accessible to everyone, equipped with heating facilities, and staffed with duty personnel, making them safe and comfortable to use even at night."

Han Byung-yong, Director of the Seoul Disaster and Safety Office, said, "As a sharp temperature drop and severe cold are expected starting tonight, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the 25 autonomous districts will do their best to protect vulnerable groups and prevent cold wave damage through 24-hour situation management."