Snowplows in summer: Repurposed vehicles fight record heat

As record-breaking heat persists across Korea, local governments and state agencies are deploying equipment normally used during winter or wildfire seasons to protect residents from heat-related illnesses and drought.

In Ochang Underpass in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, a 14-ton snowplow rolled onto the road Thursday afternoon—not to scatter de-icing chemicals, but to spray water over scorching asphalt.

The truck, which carries up to 12,000 liters (406,000 ounces) of water, was deployed by the provincial government Wednesday as part of its heat-response measures.

A snowplow mid-heat wave?

The truck is set to spray water along a 12.5-kilometer (7.8-mile) stretch of national and provincial roads through Ochang-eup in Cheongju and neighboring Jeungpyeong County in North Chungcheong, until the heat-wave warning is lifted. The spraying will be focused on residential areas between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., when road surface temperatures are at their highest.

Asphalt temperatures can reach 45 to 50 degrees Celsius (113 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit) when the air temperature rises to 35 degrees Celsius, according to the provincial government.

"Spraying water lowers road surface temperatures by three to 6 degrees Celsius, with the effect lasting about an hour," said Kim Dong-hee, head of the road management team for North Chungcheong. "It can help mitigate the urban heat-island effect, reduce pedestrians' perceived temperatures, prevent heat-related road deformation and suppress dust."

Authorities across the country have expanded emergency measures as the prolonged heat wave continues, deploying snowplows and wildfire suppression vehicles. Even flying drones are mobilized to broadcast heat-safety messages and heatwave detection stickers are also being distributed.

In Pohang, North Gyeongsang, the Pohang Agricultural Technology Center and local authorities have deployed four wildfire suppression trucks and eight patrol officers through Aug. 31. By using them, the city plans to monitor farmland and advise farmers to stop working immediately if heat-related illness is suspected.

Drone announcements in Changwon

In Changwon, South Gyeongsang, drones equipped with loudspeakers patrol rice fields, farms and greenhouses, urging outdoor workers to avoid working during the hottest hours and to stay hydrated.

South Chungcheong began distributing 20,000 heat-rest reminder stickers Thursday to farmers and outdoor workers.

The stickers change color depending on surface temperature — from yellow at 45 degrees Celsius to orange at 50 degrees Celsius and red at 55 degrees Celsius — to alert users when conditions become dangerous.

The province also operates a governor's task force on preventing heat-related deaths.

"I hope these stickers will raise awareness and help prevent heat-related illnesses," said Governor of South Chungcheong Park Soo-hyun.

Other local governments have also introduced heat-relief measures.

Ulsan is installing heat-blocking insulation film at bus stops, while Imsil County, North Jeolla, has extended the operating hours of cooling shelters from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Busan has designated 48 CU convenience stores as cooling shelters for delivery riders and other mobile workers, and Daejeon is operating 70 stores run by telecom carrier KT as heat shelters.

Twenty-two wildfire suppression vehicles deployed in Miryang

Government agencies have also stepped up their response.

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) has mobilized wildfire suppression vehicles and drones through its regional offices.

The Western Regional Forest Service, based in Namwon, North Jeolla, is spraying water on roads in heat-vulnerable areas through the end of August. The service has likewise begun operating drones equipped with loudspeakers to broadcast heat-safety messages.

"We are using speaker-equipped drones to reach farmland, riverside trails and outdoor worksites that are difficult for vehicles to access, while continuing patrols depending on heat alerts and weather conditions," said Kim In-cheon, head of the Western Regional Forest Service.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the KFS have deployed 22 wildfire suppression trucks to Miryang, South Gyeongsang, where drought has raised concerns over crop damage.

The vehicles are supplying more than 500 tons of agricultural water a day to about 22 hectares (54 acres) of farmland lacking irrigation facilities while also spraying water in areas experiencing extreme heat.

"We will mobilize all available equipment to minimize damage from the extreme heat," said Minister of the KFS Park Eun-sik.

BY KIM BANG-HYUN, CHOI JONG-KWON, AN DAE-HUN [shin.woojin@joongang.co.kr]