Mayor Bora Kim: "Prevent Heatwave Casualties"… Anseong City Deploys Drones After First Heatwave Emergency Alert

Anseong Launches Disaster Response Headquarters and Begins Emergency Operations
Over 40 Cooling Centers to Operate Until 10 p.m.
Drones Patrolling Rice Fields and Mountainous Farmland
Cooling Supplies Provided to 3,000 Vulnerable Households
Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect with Sprinkler Trucks and Cooling Fog

As the first heatwave emergency alert was issued in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province on August 4, the city launched the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and began emergency response operations.

Anseong City deployed drones on the 4th to inspect 'heatwave blind spots' such as rice paddies and fields, riversides, and mountainous farmland areas that are difficult for vehicles to access. Provided by Anseong City

On August 5, Anseong City announced that, under the leadership of Mayor Bora Kim as head of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, it has designated the prevention of casualties as its top priority, while bolstering protection for vulnerable groups and reinforcing community-based heatwave countermeasures.

The city operates 540 cooling centers across the region from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During heatwave advisories, the operating hours of more than 40 centers—including at least one in each town or district—are extended until 10 p.m.

On-site management to prevent heat-related illnesses among elderly residents in rural areas has also been strengthened. The city sends text messages to farmers and outdoor workers, advising them to halt work during peak heat hours and to take sufficient rest.

Approximately 3,000 households at high risk from the heat, including rice paddy and construction workers, received insulated water bottles, cooling sleeves, cooling scarves, cooling towels, handheld fans, and sun umbrellas. In addition, air conditioner installation is supported for low-income households.

Drones are deployed to rice paddies, riversides, and mountainous farmland where vehicle access is difficult. Using drones, the city monitors "heatwave blind spots" in real time and plans to respond promptly if workers or farmers exposed to heat for long periods are detected.

Shaded rest shelters have been installed at 181 key traffic areas in the city. To reduce road radiant heat and the so-called urban heat island effect, sprinkler trucks, cooling fog systems, and the "Clean & Cooling Road" program are also in operation.

Mayor Bora Kim stated, "We will focus the full administrative capacity of the city to prevent any casualties from the heatwave," and urged citizens to "limit outdoor activities during the daytime, take plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and follow heatwave safety guidelines."

Anseong City, with Mayor Bora Kim as the head of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, is prioritizing disaster prevention as the top task and is strengthening protection for vulnerable groups and implementing community-based heatwave measures. Provided by Anseong City

Residents of Anseong are automatically covered by the "Gyeonggi Climate Insurance" program, which provides compensation for heat-related illnesses without any separate enrollment process. If diagnosed with conditions such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat syncope, residents are eligible to receive an insurance payout of 150,000 won once per year. Claims can be filed through the "Gyeonggi Climate Insurance" channel on KakaoTalk or via the call center.

Meanwhile, Anseong City has informed residents that, as citizens of Anseong, they are automatically enrolled in the "Gyeonggi Climate Insurance," which guarantees compensation for heat-related illnesses. If diagnosed with heat exhaustion, heatstroke, sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat syncope, residents can receive a payment of 150,000 won once per year. Insurance claims can be made via the KakaoTalk "Gyeonggi Climate Insurance" channel or through the climate insurance call center.

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