Officials from Jung-gu are cleaning the road with a water truck in preparation for summer heat in front of Seoul Plaza in Jung-gu. /Courtesy of News1

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 17th that it will implement the '2025 Comprehensive Heat Wave Plan' until the end of September to respond to the intense heat.

The latest comprehensive heat wave plan includes key measures such as ▲mitigating urban heat islands ▲systematic crisis response during heat wave advisories ▲tailored protection for vulnerable groups ▲improving accessibility to heat evacuation facilities.

To mitigate urban heat islands, the plan will increase water cleaning and expand cooling facilities, such as shade structures and cooling fogs. It aims to create an environment where citizens can walk safely and comfortably.

A total of 187 water cleaning vehicles will be deployed across primary and secondary roads covering 1,973 kilometers. Water cleaning will occur 1 to 2 times daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when temperatures rise. When a heat wave advisory is in effect, an additional 12 vehicles from the road construction office will extend the water cleaning area by 181.4 kilometers, allowing for a maximum of 6 water cleanings per day.

Cooling roofs will be installed at 77 locations, including senior community centers and resident centers. Cooling roofs reduce temperature by reflecting solar heat from building rooftops. This will be implemented on the rooftops of 57 public facilities currently used as heat shelters and on 20 private households serving vulnerable populations to save cooling energy.

Citizens are walking along a misty path emanating from the water spray at Seoul Plaza in front of the city hall, cooling off from the heat. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Shade structures will also be increased in areas frequented by citizens. As of March this year, shade structures had been installed at 4,140 locations, including crosswalks, plazas, and parks, with plans to add 442 more. Additionally, cooling fog, which lowers surrounding temperatures by spraying mist, will be installed at 21 more locations, bringing the total to 168.

Thirteen cooling roads will also be operated. These roads will feature water spraying facilities shaped like square blocks or markers installed in the center of the road that spray water to lower the road temperature. A new 0.9-kilometer segment connecting Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun will be established, with plans for future expansion to a total of 3.5 kilometers, including City Hall Station and Jongno 3-ga Station.

A phased response system will also be established when a heat wave advisory is issued. During normal conditions, a situation management task force will monitor warning signs, and when a heat wave advisory is in effect, an 'Integrated Heat Wave Support Situation Room' will be activated in the city and district offices. When a 'serious' level is issued, the disaster safety headquarters will be activated.

The monitoring system for emergency room patients suffering from heat-related illnesses will also be expanded. The status of suspected heat illness patients visiting 70 emergency medical institutions in Seoul will be managed. This is an increase of 6 institutions from last year's total of 64. Confirmed occurrences of heat-related illnesses will be disclosed on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's website.

Tailored support and protection for vulnerable populations during heat waves will also be strengthened. The number of caregivers for the elderly will increase to 39,343, up by 1,600 from the previous year. Additionally, during heat wave advisories, support workers will check in via phone or visits every 1 to 2 days.

A special task force for residents of temporary housing will be formed, consisting of 10 teams of 20 members who will patrol twice daily. Nurses will visit the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions twice a week to check their health. For 27,000 severely disabled individuals with mobility issues, health management will be supported through activity assistance and nighttime caregivers.

The Seoul-type emergency welfare support fund for households struggling to maintain their livelihood will also be increased. This year, the support will rise from 1.83 million won for a family of four last year to 1.87 million won, an increase of 40,000 won.

Additionally, the management, supervision, and promotion of cooling shelters, which serve as heat evacuation facilities, will be strengthened. Joint on-site inspections will be conducted at least 5 times during the action period across 25 autonomous districts to enhance the effectiveness of facility management. The cooling conditions, safety management, and signage of cooling shelters will be assessed.

Han Byeong-yong, head of the Disaster and Safety Headquarters of Seoul, said, "Heat waves have become a daily disaster that threatens citizens' lives and health beyond mere seasonal discomfort, and we will prepare thoroughly and respond proactively."

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