Elderly residents in a low-income Seoul neighborhood used cooling-mist systems and water-spraying trucks on Aug. 4, 2024, to survive a record-breaking heatwave [1].
These measures are critical for vulnerable populations who often lack adequate air conditioning in impoverished areas. The extreme heat poses a significant health risk to the elderly, who are more susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration.
The city faced a severe heat-alert after temperatures were expected to reach 35 °C or higher for two consecutive days [2]. This specific threshold, perceived temperatures of 35 °C or more over a 48-hour period, triggers the highest level of heat warnings in the region [2].
Authorities issued the first severe heat-wave alert on Aug. 3, 2024 [3]. In response, the city deployed water-spraying vehicles to cool down asphalt and public walkways. Residents were seen gathering near cooling-mist installations, which spray fine droplets of water into the air to lower the ambient temperature.
These low-income neighborhoods often consist of densely packed housing with poor ventilation. The use of public cooling infrastructure becomes a primary survival strategy when indoor environments become dangerously hot.
The relief efforts on Aug. 4, 2024, focused on providing immediate physical cooling to prevent medical emergencies [1]. Local officials said they continue to monitor the temperature trends as the heatwave persists across the region.
“Elderly residents in a low-income Seoul neighborhood used cooling-mist systems and water-spraying trucks.”
The reliance on temporary cooling mists highlights the systemic vulnerability of the urban poor during climate extremes. While municipal interventions like spraying trucks provide immediate relief, they underscore a lack of permanent, sustainable cooling infrastructure in Seoul's low-income districts, leaving the elderly dependent on emergency government measures to avoid heat-related fatalities.
