The district will run its heat wave response system through Sept. 30, strengthening situation management and on-the-ground response — expanding heat-reduction facilities including 152 cooling shelters and 197 shade structures.
Jungnang-gu is rolling out a comprehensive heat wave plan through Sept. 30 to minimize harm to residents during the summer months.
The district has designated May 15 through Sept. 30 as its official heat wave response period and will operate a tiered crisis management system throughout. The plan centers on four areas: building a heat wave situation response framework, protecting and supporting heat-vulnerable populations, installing and operating heat-reduction facilities, and managing facility safety while mitigating the urban heat island effect.
When a heat wave advisory is issued, the district will activate a Heat Wave Comprehensive Support Operations Center staffed by 43 personnel across five teams and 14 departments. Should large-scale damage occur or be anticipated, a Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will be mobilized for a rapid response.
Protection for heat-vulnerable residents will also be strengthened. Some 129 lifestyle support workers and others will conduct in-person visits and phone check-ins for approximately 1,600 elderly people living alone, while IoT devices provide real-time safety and health monitoring for vulnerable senior households. Homeless individuals will receive relief supplies including bottled water and residential support, with enhanced patrols to prevent safety incidents.
The district will operate 152 cooling shelters in total — two more than last year. The district office building will be open daily until 10 p.m. from June regardless of whether a heat wave advisory is in effect, and community service centers will also extend their hours into the evening and on weekends and public holidays when an advisory is issued. To prepare for tropical nights, the district is adding two "safe lodging" facilities for low-income, housing-vulnerable elderly residents, bringing the total to 12.
Heat-reduction infrastructure is also being expanded. The district has added 12 shade structures at crosswalks, traffic islands, bus stops and other high-foot-traffic locations, bringing the total to 197 in operation.
Cooling fog systems will operate at Junghwa Waterscape Park, Yongma Waterfall Park, and traditional markets including Myeonmok, Dongwon and Woolim markets, and a new cooling fog installation is planned for Bonghwasan Neighborhood Park. Starting in July, the district plans to set up "Jungnang Ongdalsaem" water stations along the Jungnangcheon riverside and in parks, providing residents with free chilled water.
Road water-spraying operations will be expanded to help ease the urban heat island effect. The district will deploy water tankers on major arterial and branch roads to lower urban temperatures and will strengthen fire prevention and safety management at key facilities including traditional markets, parks and gas supply installations.
Alongside this, the district plans to distribute heat wave safety guidelines through its community newsletter, social media and text message alerts so residents can respond quickly when conditions deteriorate.
"Because heat waves directly affect residents' health and safety, we will focus our efforts on protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening on-the-ground response," a district official said. "We also ask residents to avoid outdoor activities during heat wave advisories and to stay well hydrated."
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