As of 11 a.m. on July 29, a heat wave warning has been issued for 19 districts in Seoul, excluding the western districts of Mapo, Seodaemun, and Eunpyeong, as well as the central areas of Jongno, Jung, and Yongsan. This marks the second heat wave warning this summer, occurring 18 days after the first warning on July 11.
In response to the warning, the Seoul city government elevated its heat wave response alert from 'caution' (level 1) to 'alert' (level 2). The city has also expanded its comprehensive support situation room from five teams to eight to enhance emergency response efforts.
The areas affected by the heat wave warning include the southeastern districts of Gangdong, Songpa, Gangnam, and Seocho, the northeastern districts of Jungnang, Seongdong, Gwangjin, Dobong, Nowon, Gangbuk, Seongbuk, and Dongdaemun, as well as the southwestern districts of Gangseo, Yangcheon, Guro, Yeongdeungpo, Dongjak, Gwanak, and Geumcheon. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius for more than two consecutive days.
Accordingly, the city has added traffic management, facility recovery, and disaster communication teams to the existing situation room, which includes teams for overall situation management, living support, energy recovery, medical response, and rescue. The comprehensive support situation room will monitor weather conditions, damage reports, and the protection status of vulnerable populations and facilities in real-time.
On the previous day, the city held a joint inspection meeting led by the director of the Disaster Safety Office to review the operation of the emergency response system and the status of heat-related illnesses. The meeting focused on the operation of heat relief shelters, protection of vulnerable populations, safety management for outdoor workers, and the operation of heat mitigation facilities, while also strengthening the emergency communication system among related agencies and enhancing on-site checks in vulnerable areas.
Measures to protect vulnerable populations have also been strengthened. For elderly individuals in need of care, the city will check in via phone, and if there is no response, officials will visit them directly to assess their health. In areas with a high concentration of homeless individuals, the city will increase staffing for management and enhance counseling and patrol efforts.
During the heat wave advisory period, 24 district offices, excluding Gangbuk, will operate cooling centers 24 hours a day. Gangbuk is excluded from this due to space constraints as it is currently using a temporary office while a new building is being constructed.
The city has implemented a principle to suspend outdoor work at construction sites it oversees from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except for urgent safety work. Similar heat wave response measures will be communicated to private construction sites.
Choi Jin-seok, the director of the Seoul Disaster Safety Office, stated, “As the heat wave continues, the risk of heat-related illnesses and harm to citizens is increasing. We will ensure that our heat wave response measures operate effectively on the ground, prioritizing the lives and safety of our citizens. We urge everyone to minimize outdoor activities and to stay hydrated and take breaks to maintain their health.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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