Changes to summer disaster response in 2026 — new Heatwave Critical Alert and tropical night advisory, alert zones subdivided from 183 to 235
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From 1 June the Korea Meteorological Administration added the Heatwave Critical Alert and a tropical night advisory and subdivided 183 alert zones into 235, as part of a stronger summer disaster response system for 2026.
Key facts
| New alerts | Korea Meteorological Administration added the Heatwave Critical Alert and introduced the tropical night advisory from 1 June |
|---|---|
| Alert zones | 183 zones subdivided into 235 nationwide |
| Heavy rain response | Extra emergency alert text messages at eup, myeon and dong level when disaster-level rain of 100mm an hour is expected; advance notice of alerts being lifted piloted in the Seoul metropolitan area |
| Crisis alerts | Four levels — Attention, Caution, Alert and Serious; resident evacuation support teams expanded nationwide this year |
| Heat | Heat shelters at community service centres, libraries and other places; 24-hour advice from the 119 heat-wave emergency medical team if heat-related illness is suspected |
Last checked:
The government has set out the stronger disaster and weather response system in place this summer. From 1 June, the Korea Meteorological Administration added the Heatwave Critical Alert (폭염중대경보) as the top level of heat-wave alert, introduced a new tropical night advisory (열대야주의보), and subdivided the country's 183 alert zones into 235. When disaster-level rain of around 100mm an hour is expected, extra emergency alert text messages are sent at eup, myeon and dong level, and a system that gives advance notice of when a heavy rain alert will be lifted is being piloted in the Seoul metropolitan area. Disaster crisis alerts run on four levels — Attention, Caution, Alert and Serious — and resident evacuation support teams, which help older people and others who cannot evacuate on their own, have been expanded nationwide this year. For heat, people can use heat shelters set up at places such as community service centres and libraries, and anyone who suspects heat-related illness can ask the 119 heat-wave emergency medical team for advice 24 hours a day.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What new heat-wave alerts are there this summer?
From 1 June the Korea Meteorological Administration added the Heatwave Critical Alert as the top level and introduced a new tropical night advisory.
What should I do to escape the heat or if I suspect heat-related illness?
You can use heat shelters at places such as community service centres and libraries, and if you suspect heat-related illness you can ask the 119 heat-wave emergency medical team for advice 24 hours a day.