Songpa-gu Prepares in Advance for Record-Breaking Heatwave This Summer

Heatwave Countermeasure T/F Real-Time Heatwave Monitoring... Prevention of Heatwave Disasters and Safety Accident Preparedness... Operation of 1,200 Disaster Helpers, 212 Shade Structures, and Protection of Heatwave Vulnerable Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seongsu) has forecasted that this summer will be hotter than usual. To protect vulnerable groups from heatwaves and prepare for various safety accidents, the district has established the "2021 Comprehensive Heatwave Countermeasures," which will be implemented until the end of September.

The district, led by the Disaster Safety Division in cooperation with nine other departments, has formed a heatwave countermeasure T/F team to conduct real-time monitoring of heatwave conditions and take proactive measures to minimize heatwave damage.

First, when a heatwave warning is issued, the operation system will be elevated to a comprehensive heatwave situation room to maintain an emergency duty system.

Additionally, heatwave preparedness guidelines for residents will be promoted in real-time through SNS channels (Songpa Blog, Songpa Twitter, Facebook) and large electronic billboards, along with disaster text message services.

This year, about 1,200 disaster helpers will be deployed to assist vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and those with mobility difficulties. Disaster helpers, composed of Happiness Fence and Autonomous Disaster Prevention Groups, will check safety through visits and phone calls, conduct intensive patrols in major homeless areas, and strengthen emergency relief activities such as providing ice water.

Moreover, 212 shade shelters will be installed and operated at crosswalks and other locations to protect residents from heatwaves. With 25 additional shelters installed this year, it is expected that residents will avoid direct sunlight and prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

Furthermore, about 218 cooling shelters equipped with air conditioning, including community centers, welfare centers, and senior centers, will be designated and operated. However, due to COVID-19, only some of the 58 senior center cooling shelters will be open, while 160 senior centers will operate flexibly depending on the situation, allowing only 50% of the capacity to be used.

In addition, to protect construction workers exposed to sunlight for long hours outdoors, a heatwave rest time system (2 PM to 5 PM) will be implemented to discourage work during afternoon hours, safeguarding residents' health.

Also, as a measure to prevent urban heat island effects, when daytime temperatures persist above 33℃, five water spraying trucks on average will spray water on road surfaces daily to lower temperatures.

Furthermore, in collaboration with related organizations such as fire stations and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, safety inspections will be conducted on more than 20 facilities, including gas filling stations prone to explosion risks, to prepare for summer disasters.

Mayor Park Seongsu stated, "Global warming and urban heat island phenomena are recurring annually, and the number of heatwave and tropical night days during summer is expected to increase," adding, "We will do our utmost to implement heatwave countermeasures that protect vulnerable groups, including elderly living alone, so that residents can have a healthy and safe summer."

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