First Heat Wave Warning of the Summer Issued for Southeastern and Southwestern Seoul; City Expands Emergency Operations

A heat wave warning was issued for the southeastern and southwestern districts of Seoul, effective as of 2:00 p.m. today (July 11).

This marks the first heat wave warning issued in Seoul this summer, arriving four days later than last year's first warning (July 7).

The affected areas include Songpa, Gangnam, Seocho, and Gangdong (southeastern districts), as well as Gangseo, Gwanak, Yangcheon, Guro, Dongjak, Yeongdeungpo, and Geumcheon (southwestern districts).

Heat wave advisories remain in effect for the rest of the city.

A heat wave warning is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35°C (95°F) for two or more consecutive days. A heat wave advisory is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 33°C (91°F) for two or more consecutive days, or when significant damage is anticipated due to the heat.

Following the issuance of the heat wave warning, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has upgraded its crisis alert level from Caution to Alert.

The city is also expanding its emergency operations center to Level 2 by adding three teams—Traffic Measures, Facility Restoration, and Disaster Public Relations—to the existing five teams (General Situation, Daily Life Support, Energy Restoration, Medical Quarantine, and Rescue/First Aid).

The emergency operations center will monitor weather conditions, damage reports, and the status of protection for vulnerable populations to coordinate responses.

The city is checking on vulnerable elderly individuals in need of care via telephone, and will conduct in-person visits to assess their health if they cannot be reached.

Management personnel in areas with high concentrations of homeless individuals will be increased, and counseling and patrols for the homeless will be strengthened.

Furthermore, to protect construction workers working outdoors, the city is recommending that employers ensure sufficient rest periods and provide cooling facilities, and will conduct inspections to ensure compliance.

Each autonomous district is also operating its own emergency centers, managing cooling facilities and heat shelters, and stockpiling emergency relief supplies.

With the exception of Gangbuk-gu, which is currently using a cramped temporary office building due to the construction of a new district office, 24 autonomous districts have designated their district office buildings as heat shelters and will keep them open 24 hours a day.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is providing guidance on safety measures to prevent heat-related damage through digital billboards, its official website, and safety alert text messages.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.