Six Cases of Heat-Related Illnesses Reported
On-Site Measures Enhanced with Heat Relief Shelters and Water-Spraying Vehicles
Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province will implement a comprehensive heatwave response plan until September 30 to prevent casualties caused by summer heatwaves and to ensure the safety of its citizens.
As heatwave advisories have been issued earlier than usual this year, Yeongju City activated its heatwave response system on May 15. The city designated July and August as key response periods and established an interdepartmental cooperation system. As of July, there have been six cases of heat-related illnesses within the city.
The city has formed a heatwave response task force within the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, which is continuously conducting heatwave risk analysis, monitoring heat-related illnesses at three hospitals, and checking the implementation status of countermeasures. If the crisis level is raised, the city will switch to an emergency response system. On July 1, Yoo Junggeun, Acting Mayor of Yeongju, personally inspected a heat relief shelter on site.
On-site response measures have also been strengthened. The city is deploying four water-spraying vehicles to spray water on major roads in the city center and the Punggi-eup area at least four times a day, adjusting operations flexibly according to temperature and road conditions.
Heat mitigation facilities currently in operation include 41 shade canopies (including four newly installed), one cooling fog system, and 14 smart bus shelters. The city is also working to install an additional cooling fog system at Yeongju Station Square. The number of heat relief shelters has been expanded to 215 (164 indoor, 51 outdoor), and 15 additional public facilities are scheduled to be designated as shelters.
Protection for approximately 3,000 heat-vulnerable individuals has also been strengthened. The city is providing cooling cost support to 366 senior centers and deploying personnel for elderly care and home visit health management, checking in with the elderly at least twice a week. In addition, the city is monitoring agricultural workers and providing guidance to outdoor workers. In cooperation with Yeongju Fire Station, the city is operating a 119 heatwave emergency unit, consisting of six ambulances and 48 personnel.
Public awareness efforts are also underway. The city is utilizing various channels, including broadcasting response videos on disaster electronic billboards, distributing card news and leaflets, and airing early warning broadcasts at least twice a day to raise citizen awareness.
Acting Mayor Yoo Junggeun stated, "Above all, the lives and safety of our citizens are the top priority," and added, "We will continue thorough and proactive measures, from on-site inspections to protecting vulnerable groups."
Yoo Junggeun, Acting Mayor of Yeongju, is conducting an on-site inspection of the heat relief shelter and talking with the elderly. Photo by Yeongju City
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