Gyeongsangbuk-do provides additional cooling funds to 8,660 senior centers amid extreme heat

Gyeongsangbuk-do province is providing additional financial support to senior centers struggling with prolonged heatwaves. The province announced on August 4 that it will allocate 866 million won from its disaster relief fund to distribute an extra 100,000 won to each of the 8,660 senior centers within its jurisdiction.

This supplementary aid comes as the region experiences record-breaking temperatures. Senior centers are currently operating as "heatwave shelters" for the elderly, and the extended heatwave has led to increased electricity consumption for cooling. The province already provides 165,000 won per month for cooling costs during July and August. This additional funding is intended to help cover the higher operational expenses.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "We will do our best to operate heatwave shelters and protect vulnerable populations to minimize damage from the heatwave." The decision reflects the severity of the ongoing heatwave, which has seen unprecedented "heatwave emergency warnings" issued in cities like Pohang and Gyeongsan. Daily high temperatures have reached 41.2 degrees Celsius, with perceived temperatures soaring to 38.4 degrees Celsius.

The heatwave has taken a toll on residents, with 207 heat-related illnesses reported, including one fatality in Uljin. The majority of these incidents occurred in outdoor workplaces (43 cases) and agricultural fields (35 cases). Livestock have also been severely affected, with damages reported for 86,536 animals. As of August 4, heatwave warnings remain in effect for 14 cities and counties in Gyeongsangbuk-do, with tropical night advisories issued for 16 areas.

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We will do our best to operate heatwave shelters and protect vulnerable populations to minimize damage from the heatwave.