Seoul Jung-gu Activates Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Wind, Flood, and Heatwave

Establishment of Flood and Wind Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Initiation of 3-Stage Emergency Duty According to Rainfall Conditions

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) held an opening ceremony for the Flood and Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 5th floor of the district office on the 12th.

Last year, unprecedented long rainy seasons and heavy rains occurred. This year, with abnormal climate phenomena such as the earliest-ever blooming of cherry blossoms in Seoul and snowfall in some areas like Gangwon even in May, the district is thoroughly preparing to protect residents' safety from natural disasters such as floods and heatwaves.

Under the leadership of Mayor Seo Yang-ho of Jung-gu, the 'Flood Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' has been formed, consisting of a total of 13 task forces and 611 members, including the Situation Management Team, Facility Restoration Team, Life Support Team, Medical and Quarantine Team, and Rescue and First Aid Team.

During the comprehensive flood disaster countermeasure period, the Disaster Comprehensive Situation Room will operate 24 hours a day, and a three-stage emergency duty system will be implemented according to the weather forecast alert levels.

To prevent flood damage this year, the district will proactively prepare by ▲pre-inspection and maintenance of flood control facilities and flood-prone facilities ▲additional dredging of three rainwater storage tanks ▲dredging of rainwater inlets on main and side roads ▲free provision of flood prevention facilities such as water barriers and submersible pumps for low-lying underground houses ▲linking care officials to vulnerable households ▲additional installation of rain gauges.

The period is five months, from May 15 to October 15.

Heatwave countermeasures will also be strengthened and operated for about four months from May 20 to September 30. Especially, protecting vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and residents of small rooms is the top priority, with special attention paid to preventing casualties.

For about 1,500 heatwave-vulnerable residents in the area, one-on-one dedicated officials are assigned to check on their wellbeing within 48 hours after a heatwave advisory is issued. A wellbeing check manual has been created to systematically manage and assess not only health status but also individual heatwave coping abilities of vulnerable groups.

Additionally, the district is thoroughly preparing to prevent damage by ▲providing heatwave first aid kits to vulnerable groups ▲supporting cooling appliances for low-income families ▲prioritizing air conditioner installation for 230 elderly households in difficult circumstances ▲providing 30,000 KRW electricity bill support to 500 vulnerable households burdened by electricity costs ▲temporary monetary support for elderly waste collectors.

To prevent heat-related illnesses during summer, indoor and outdoor cooling shelters and safe accommodations will be operated, and 133 shaded resting areas will be installed at busy crosswalks, bus stops, and other locations to provide safe spaces to rest during the heat.

Using nine large water spraying trucks, watering operations will be conducted on main roads, and small water spraying trucks under 5 tons and administrative vehicles from each neighborhood will be deployed to spray alleys, side streets, school routes, and other areas closely related to residents' daily lives, focusing on preventing urban heat island effects.

Mayor Seo Yang-ho of Jung-gu said, "Jung-gu is thoroughly prepared in advance to prevent damage to residents caused by concentrated heavy rains and heatwaves during the summer," and added, "We will do our best to protect the health and safety of all residents from COVID-19 infectious disease and summer heavy rains and heatwaves."

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