Seoul preps measures for hotter-than-expected summer

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Seoul preps measures for hotter-than-expected summer

Published: 12 Jun. 2023, 17:46

Visitors to Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, rest in the shade, as others enjoy jet skiing. [YONHAP]

With the country bracing for a hot summer, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday rolled out a comprehensive heatwave plan outlining various measures to help citizens fight the intense heat and prevent heat-related illnesses.

A key difference from previous years is that the city government will issue heatwave alerts based on the sensible temperature, or the temperature that the human body feels, and not the recorded temperature.

Under the new criterion, a heatwave advisory will be issued when the maximum sensible temperature is 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or above for two or more consecutive days. A heatwave warning will be issued when the maximum sensible temperature is at least 35 degrees Celsius for two days or more.

The Seoul city government said that even if the recorded temperature is below 33 degrees, a heatwave advisory or warning could be issued if humidity levels are high.

“The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts the average temperature in Seoul this summer to be higher than in previous years,” a Seoul government official said Monday while explaining the revision. The city “has also been seeing more intense, frequent ‘tropical nights’ over the past five years.”

A tropical night is when temperatures hover above 25 degrees between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Based on Seoul’s comprehensive heatwave plan, 4,200 “heat relief centers” will be operated across the capital this summer, allowing underprivileged people to escape the heat and cool down in air-conditioned environments.

Ten heat relief centers for homeless people will run around the clock.

Nearly 3,200 shade structures will be installed around crosswalks for people to wait under, and more than 4,300 “road cooling” sprinkler devices will be operated to bring the road surface temperatures down.

When a heatwave alert is issued, 160 sprinkler trucks will be deployed to spray water on roads as well.

The so-called Oasis Seoul project, in which businesses and public community centers offer drinking water to anyone who visits with a tumbler or water bottle, will be expanded this year with Woori Bank branches joining the campaign.

Starting this month, the bank’s 262 branches in Seoul have agreed to participate, said the city government.

Seoul said it was also considering installing air conditioners in shanty town households and providing “cooling subsidies” to those receiving basic livelihood support and low-income families.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [[email protected]]