Heatwave and Typhoon... Government Prepares for All-Out Battle Against Natural Disasters

Heatwave Crisis Alert 'Severe'
Speeding Up Typhoon Response Too

With the heatwave expected to continue this week, the government has decided to launch an all-out effort against the extreme heat. This week, with Typhoon Khanun expected to move northward, the government plans to carry out flood prevention measures simultaneously.

According to related ministries on the 7th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety decided to maintain the highest level of the heatwave crisis alert at the ‘Severe’ stage. This is because the daytime high temperature this week is forecasted to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius, indicating that the heatwave will continue to intensify.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will send disaster text messages twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., to areas under heatwave warnings following the issuance of heatwave alerts. Additionally, nationwide disaster broadcasts will be conducted twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2:10 p.m.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has issued heatwave warnings targeting farmers who engage in outdoor activities, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare is strengthening monitoring of safety management for vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone due to the heatwave. The Ministry of Employment and Labor is distributing and implementing special response guidelines to protect workers’ health against the heatwave. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is conducting water temperature monitoring (at 180 locations) and providing mobile service guidance to respond to high water temperatures. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is inspecting road surfaces, facilities, and railway rail deformations.

Local governments are also taking emergency response measures. Currently, 179 local governments have issued warnings. First, 17 metropolitan cities and provinces will deploy a total of 4,691 personnel for emergency duty. They will carry out activities such as ▲protecting vulnerable groups ▲operating and inspecting heatwave shelters ▲operating and inspecting heatwave damage mitigation facilities ▲and conducting promotional activities.

Furthermore, as the typhoon moves northward, related response efforts are accelerating. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a meeting chaired by the Director of Disaster Management the previous day with 31 related agencies to discuss each agency’s response plans.

Although there is no direct impact from the typhoon yet, as of 5 a.m. today, two passenger ferry routes with five vessels (Moseulpo~Marado, Sani-Sudong~Marado) and 25 hiking trails in two national parks (18 in Seoraksan, 7 in Odaesan) are currently closed in preparation for heavy rain and high waves.

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