Seongdong-gu Activates Emergency Response System as Extreme Heatwave Warning Issued

Check-ins for 6,500 Vulnerable Residents
Outdoor Events and Work Suspended or Adjusted

Seongdong-gu in Seoul (with Mayor Yoo Bohwa) announced on August 5 that, in response to the issuance of the Extreme Heatwave Warning across the city on the 4th, it had activated an emergency response system and had begun efforts to ensure the safety of residents. The Extreme Heatwave Warning is the highest level of the new heatwave advisory system introduced this year by the Korea Meteorological Administration, and this is the first time it has been issued for Seoul.

The scene of the 'Emergency Heatwave Countermeasure Meeting' held on the 4th regarding the issuance of the Extreme Heatwave Alert. Provided by Seongdong District.

On the morning of August 4, the district held an Emergency Heatwave Countermeasures Meeting presided over by the mayor. During the meeting, 24 departments and agencies related to the comprehensive heatwave response task force reviewed sector-specific measures and cooperation plans following the upgrade to the heatwave warning system. The district sent out disaster alert messages immediately, promoted public action guidelines such as refraining from outdoor activities and preventing heat-related illnesses, and either suspended or flexibly adjusted outdoor events and operations of outdoor sports facilities during the midday heat.

Protection for vulnerable groups is also being strengthened. The district is expanding check-ins and conducting in-person and phone monitoring for approximately 6,500 residents vulnerable to heatwaves, including the elderly living alone, people with disabilities, homeless individuals, and single-person households. It will also intensify monitoring of areas where homeless populations are concentrated.

Heatwave shelters and mitigation facilities are being inspected as well. Authorities will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all 204 cooling centers, 56 smart shelters, and the district office’s “Chaekmaru” emergency shelter. They will also check the normal operation status of 172 shade canopies and cooling fog devices.

To mitigate urban heat island effects on roads, starting from August 5, the number of water-spraying trucks will be increased from six (four large, two small) to eight, and both the coverage area and frequency of operation during peak heat hours will be expanded. The public health center will maintain a medical response system in preparation for any cases of heat-related illness.

Additional measures will be taken to strengthen safety management for field workers and at construction sites. The district will, in principle, stop outdoor work by its own field employees during midday hours, check the status of heatwave management at district-contracted construction sites, and provide guidance on compliance with safety rules as well as onsite inspections at privately operated construction sites and business locations.

Mayor Yoo Bohwa stated, "The Extreme Heatwave Warning signifies the highest level of heatwave risk, so we will prioritize the lives and safety of our residents and make every practical effort in our response. We will continue to thoroughly monitor countermeasures for each sector until the heatwave situation is resolved to ensure the daily lives of our residents remain safe."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.