Seoul Faces Intensified Heatwave Measures Amid Unusual High Temperatures

[Financial News] With Seoul recording the highest temperatures since meteorological observations began, all 25 districts are focusing their efforts on heatwave measures. Each district and neighborhood community center has transformed into a cooling shelter where citizens can quickly escape the heat, and areas with a high proportion of elderly residents have initiated visits to check on vulnerable groups.
According to Seoul City on the 13th, despite the rain, temperatures above 30 degrees are expected to continue for the next three days. The maximum temperature will start at 35 degrees, dropping to 32 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, but the high humidity means the perceived temperature only drops by 1 degree. When humidity is added to the temperature, the perceived temperature increases by about 1 degree for every 10% increase in humidity.
Since the heatwave warning was issued on the 7th, Seoul City has been operating 103 teams with 444 people in the 'Heatwave Situation Room.' The crisis alert level has been raised to level 1, with 95 teams and 434 people dedicated to emergency duty.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon issued an urgent directive to strengthen heatwave measures and ensure citizen safety while on an overseas trip, and chose to inspect the subway for heatwave preparedness as his first schedule upon returning. The unusual high temperatures could lead to heat-related accidents if handled with existing standards. Since May 15, the number of heat-related patients in Seoul has been 149, accounting for 10% of the national total (1492).
Each district in Seoul is also operating heatwave measures tailored to the local environment. Gangnam-gu has designated a total of 108 places as cooling shelters, including community centers, public libraries, district offices, health centers, senior welfare centers, and bus stop green smart shelters, and has opened them to the public.
Seongbuk-gu has added 2 smart shade installations that operate automatically based on the weather to its 261 cooling shelters and 180 shade installations. Starting on the 15th, they will also operate water-sharing refrigerators. They plan to operate 15 locations, an increase from 13 last year, supplying 400 bottles of 330ml water 4 times a day.
In particular, protection measures for vulnerable groups lacking cooling facilities or resources have been strengthened. Yeongdeungpo-gu has partnered with three local hotels to provide free night accommodations for seniors over 65 who are basic livelihood recipients or near-poverty level without cooling facilities or with broken ones.
Gwangjin-gu has decided to provide up to 1.05 million won in support to households with a median income of 130% or less, who have difficulty moving alone or living independently. The support includes a service limit of 700,000 won, with an additional 200,000 won for materials and 150,000 won for transportation. Material costs cover the installation of insect screens, replacement of flooring, and handle replacement, while transportation costs include taxi fares for outings.
Cooling zones, water trucks, and visits to vulnerable seniors announced at the city level are being implemented by each district. Guro-gu is conducting protective activities through contact and visits to vulnerable groups such as the disabled, chronically ill, and elderly living alone, having checked on 4923 people as of the 9th. Gangdong-gu is carrying out regular health management visits for health-vulnerable groups through 25 visiting nurses, expanding their activities to include heatwave response during the summer.
Seoul City stated, "We plan to continue monitoring by operating situation rooms with each district."

chlee1@fnnews.com Lee Chang-hoon Reporter