The Seoul Metropolitan Government said a heat advisory took effect Friday morning for the city's southwestern districts — Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu and Geumcheon-gu — as of 11 a.m. The alert is the first heat advisory for the area in 11 days, following a citywide advisory issued June 29.
The city said high humidity and rising temperatures following recent heavy-rain alerts are expected to push the heat index higher, making it especially important for residents to guard against heat-related illness.
A heat advisory is issued when the daily maximum heat index is forecast to reach 33 degrees Celsius or above for two or more consecutive days. A heat warning — the higher-tier alert — is issued when the index is expected to hit 35 C or above for two or more consecutive days.
To minimize heat-related harm, the city has activated its comprehensive heat-response operations center and is working with district offices and related agencies to strengthen public protection and safety management at vulnerable facilities. The center monitors weather conditions, reported damage, and the status of vulnerable populations and facilities, and coordinates response activities. The seven southwestern districts covered by the advisory are also maintaining their own operations centers and stockpiling cooling supplies and emergency relief materials.
As a first priority, city workers are calling elderly residents who need care to check on their wellbeing and will make in-person visits if they cannot be reached by phone. Staff presence in areas with high concentrations of homeless people will be expanded, and outreach patrols in those areas will be stepped up.
District offices in the seven affected southwestern districts are keeping seven heat-relief shelters — including spaces inside district office buildings — open around the clock, so residents who cannot access air conditioning can safely escape the heat at any hour.
Measures to protect construction workers, who are especially vulnerable to heat illness due to outdoor labor, will also be put in place. The city plans to recommend adequate rest breaks and shaded rest areas at construction sites and will inspect compliance.
The city will also actively publicize heat-safety guidelines for residents, using electronic billboards, its official website and emergency text alerts to advise people to limit outdoor activity, drink plenty of water and rest during the hottest parts of the day.
"Following the heavy-rain alerts, a heat advisory has now been issued again, and we are concerned about the health impact on residents amid these rapid weather changes," said Han Byeong-yong, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Disaster and Safety Management Office. "Seoul will spare no effort in its heat response, ensuring there are no gaps in protecting vulnerable people and managing at-risk facilities. We also ask residents to refrain from outdoor activities during the midday hours and to take particular care of their health by staying well hydrated and getting enough rest."
ikson@heraldcorp.com
