Goyang City Sees Threefold Surge in Heat-Related Illnesses Nationwide
Citywide Operation of Water-Spraying Vehicles Through Public-Private-Military Cooperation
Proactive Cooling Cost Support for Vulnerable Groups Amid Heat Wave
Inspection Completed for 1,370 Cooling Shelters Including Senior and Welfare Facilities
Mayor Lee Donghwan: "We Will Mobilize All Available Administrative Resources to Respond"
Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is taking comprehensive measures to protect the health and safety of its citizens amid consecutive days of record-breaking heat waves.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, visited the construction site of the Wonheung Complex Cultural Center. Photo by Goyang Special City
This year, the nationwide heat wave has reached disaster levels, far beyond a simple weather phenomenon. According to Goyang Special City on August 1, the number of heat-related illnesses nationwide has exceeded 2,400, which is about three times higher than last year, and the number of livestock deaths has surpassed 1 million, ten times higher than the previous year. Goyang City is also suffering severe damage. The number of heat-related illness cases in Goyang rose from 14 last year to 34 as of the end of July this year.
The number of days under heat wave advisories is also steadily increasing. In Goyang, there were 24 days in 2022, 38 days in 2023, and a sharp rise to 70 days last year. This year, as of the end of July, there have already been 24 days, and considering that the peak of the heat is expected in late July and early August and that the heat wave is forecasted to persist, it is highly likely that this year's heat will surpass last year's record.
With the central government responding to the heat wave at a national emergency level, Goyang City is mobilizing all available administrative resources. The city has deployed water-spraying vehicles on major urban roads, strengthened safety management for construction site workers, and taken proactive measures to protect vulnerable groups from the heat.
To lower the perceived temperature caused by road radiant heat and the urban heat island effect, the city has significantly reinforced water-spraying operations through a cooperative system among public, private, and military sectors.
Each district office operates two water-spraying vehicles, and an additional six road-cleaning water-spraying vehicles have been deployed, bringing the total to twelve vehicles distributed throughout the city. During heat wave advisories, water-spraying operations are conducted flexibly for four hours per day, and up to eight hours if the heat persists.
The military has also dispatched four decontamination vehicles to assist, while private construction companies such as GH, POSCO E&C, Lotte Construction, and IS Dongseo are focusing water-spraying operations on roads near construction sites.
In the 200-meter section near Hwajeong Station, a "Cooling and Clean Road" is operated to lower the perceived temperature for citizens passing through. Recently, due to the heat wave, the operating hours have been extended to 20 minutes every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The system utilizes outflow groundwater from the sump at Exit 7 of Hwajeong Station, with about 2 tons of groundwater used per operation.
Measures are also in place for outdoor workers. The city checks compliance with the "Five Major Heat Safety Rules" (water, wind/shade, rest, cooling equipment, emergency measures), and when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius, workers are required to take at least 20 minutes of rest every two hours. During periods of extreme heat, construction work is recommended to be suspended for a certain period to prevent fatalities among outdoor workers.
The city is also actively working to strengthen livestock immunity and improve the environment for livestock farms.
From March to July, a total of 1,426 immune boosters and 1,200 Korean beef cattle vaccines were supplied to poultry and pig farms. In addition, a budget of about 53 million won (including provincial funds) was used to support the installation of a total of 108 pieces of equipment, such as ventilators, water dispensers, air conditioners, and mist sprayers, in 21 farms.
A livestock farm that installed a ventilation fan using subsidy funds. Provided by Goyang Special City
The city has established a thorough welfare system for low-income households, seniors living alone, and people with disabilities, whose health and livelihoods may be threatened by the extreme heat.
In particular, with an unprecedented heat wave forecasted this year, the city preemptively used donations last month to provide 100,000 won each for cooling expenses to 462 households vulnerable to the heat. In early August, a total of 1.3 billion won will be distributed to 26,000 households, including basic livelihood security recipients and the near-poor, with each household receiving 50,000 won.
Additionally, for 1,700 households with severe disabilities receiving basic livelihood or medical benefits, the city will provide 40,000 won per month for three months for cooling expenses. Residential facilities for people with disabilities will receive between 100,000 and 500,000 won per month, depending on their capacity.
The city has also completed pre-inspections of 1,370 cooling shelters for citizens. These include 145 designated cooling shelters, 443 senior centers, 208 nursing facilities, 481 home-based senior welfare facilities, 43 elderly care facilities, and 50 welfare facilities for people with disabilities.
For 3,249 seniors in need of care, life support workers check in two to three times a week and conduct emergency checks for all during heat wave advisories. In the event of a crisis such as a heat-related illness, the city immediately coordinates with 119 and medical institutions. For 2,598 people with severe disabilities living at home, support workers check their health status by phone or in person.
Visiting and inspecting the ‘Heatwave Shelter’ at Hwajeong-dong Senior Center in preparation for the heatwave. Provided by Goyang Special City
Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Special City stated, "Every citizen has a fundamental right to be safe from disasters regardless of income," and added, "To protect citizens' rights, the entire city will establish a system to respond to heat waves, and we will mobilize all available administrative resources."
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