Geumcheon-gu Implements Comprehensive Summer Measures... 'All-Out Disaster Response'

Comprehensive Measures in Four Areas: Heatwave, Flood Control, Safety, and Health Active Until October 15

Focusing Disaster Response Capabilities on Protecting Vulnerable Groups, Expanding Disaster Prevention Infrastructure, and Establishing Foundations for Daily Life Recovery

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) will implement a comprehensive summer plan for five months until October 15 to ensure the safety and health of its residents during the summer season.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this summer’s temperatures are expected to be higher than average, with precipitation levels similar to normal, but heavy rainfall is anticipated at times due to atmospheric instability.

In response, ahead of the full summer season, the district will proactively address disasters caused by abnormal climate conditions such as heatwaves and heavy rains by promoting detailed measures centered on four areas: ▲heatwave ▲flood control ▲safety ▲health.

First, to prepare for heatwaves, a heatwave response team composed of three departments including the Resident Safety Division has been formed to monitor heatwave-related situations in real time. When a heatwave advisory is issued due to high temperatures, the team will switch to a heatwave response headquarters and work closely with related organizations to respond swiftly to any damage.

The 104 cooling shelters established last year have been fully surveyed in May, and additional designations will be made for private facilities and cultural and sports facilities to operate them. Additionally, nine more heatwave prevention shade shelters will be installed on major roads, bringing the total to 95.

Using disaster helpers such as the Tongtong Hope Narae Group and community leaders, a heatwave response system for vulnerable groups has also been established. When a heatwave advisory is issued, disaster helpers will conduct protection activities for vulnerable groups, including welfare calls, health checks, and dissemination of behavioral guidelines.

Geumcheon-gu has prepared strengthened flood control measures to reduce damage from wind and water disasters. A Flood and Wind Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, consisting of 13 task forces and 108 personnel, operates to maintain a step-by-step emergency duty system, leading efforts to prevent and recover from flood damage.

In particular, this year, a flood warning and alert system will be implemented to monitor in real time flood risk situations in low-lying roads and residential areas, sending disaster messages to quickly inform related agencies such as police and fire departments, as well as residents.

Linked with the flood warning and alert system, care officials are assigned to manage 1,081 households with a history of flooding last year, and for 57 disaster-vulnerable households such as severely disabled residents living in semi-basements, one care official and a companion partner are matched for management. Companion partners consist of one community leader and nearby residents.

Furthermore, disaster prevention infrastructure for residents’ safety will be expanded by increasing rainwater inlets (44 locations) and relocating some (8 locations) in major flood-prone areas, dredging 40.2 km of sewage pipes, and installing 1,500 flood prevention facilities such as water barriers and backflow prevention devices.

Full efforts will also be made in the ‘safety’ sector, including safety inspections of facilities to prevent major disasters during the summer. Intensive inspections will be strengthened for 300 disaster-vulnerable facilities such as major construction sites, multi-use facilities, and energy supply facilities, with rapid repair and reinforcement measures taken against major risk factors to prepare for safety accidents.

Additionally, following the declaration of the COVID-19 endemic, the district will shift from a COVID-19 intensive response system to a flexible quarantine system centered on residents’ convenience. Hygiene and quarantine measures will be strengthened against water- and foodborne infectious diseases that are common in summer, and prevention campaigns will be conducted to support residents’ safe return to daily life.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, stated, “We will do our utmost to establish a meticulous response system for various disaster situations caused by abnormal summer climate to protect the lives and property of our residents.” He added, “To prevent a recurrence of flood damage caused by last year’s heavy rains, we ask residents to check behavioral guidelines and potential hazards around their living areas in advance and prepare accordingly in case of disaster.”

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