Uljin County Protects Residents' Safety and Minimizes Inconvenience Amid Heatwave

Early Deployment of Water Spray Trucks, Enhanced Cooling Shelters, and Comprehensive Protection for Vulnerable Groups

Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province, led by County Governor Son Byungbok, implemented comprehensive measures to protect residents' safety during this summer's record-breaking heatwave, which saw temperatures reach as high as 38.6°C.

In particular, the county quickly addressed complaints arising during the road water spraying process, minimizing inconvenience for residents and maximizing the effectiveness of its heatwave response.

Uljin County deployed water spraying trucks on major roads this summer to respond to the heatwave.

The county secured a special heatwave response grant and, starting from July 2, deployed water spray trucks early on major roads in eight towns and townships for a period of 31 days. The operating period was nearly doubled compared to last year, effectively lowering road surface temperatures and enhancing pedestrian safety.

When issues such as water splashing onto parked vehicles and water pooling in front of commercial properties occurred during operations, the county immediately adjusted the spray volume or suspended spraying in certain commercial areas to resolve complaints. Additionally, when signs of drought appeared, the county regulated the operation of water spray trucks to conserve water while continuing to mitigate the heatwave.

Furthermore, the county inspected and repaired 197 designated cooling shelters within its jurisdiction to ensure residents could use them safely. A total of 119 individuals, including community life support workers, made regular visits to vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone and senior citizens, strengthening protective activities by checking in on their well-being.

At local workplaces, safety and health supervisors were assigned to inspect employee rest facilities and guide adherence to safety protocols.

County Governor Son Byungbok stated, "As the prolonged heatwave is also leading to drought, we must be thorough in preparing for both heatwave and drought responses. We will continue to strengthen our disaster response capabilities, prioritizing the lives and safety of our residents to ensure a safe living environment."