Seoul, August 5: A severe heatwave in South Korea has led to the deaths of 21 individuals this year, with 2,441 people hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), these figures have been recorded under a heat-related illness surveillance system initiated in mid-May.
While the number of people falling ill due to the heat is lower compared to the same period last year, the death toll has increased. This year’s fatalities have surpassed last year’s total of 20. Recently, a 60-year-old man working in a field in North Chungcheong Province succumbed to heatstroke.
The health agency reports that 61.7% of the patients experienced heat exhaustion, 16.8% suffered from heat stroke, and 11.5% faced heat cramps. Meanwhile, the weather department issued a severe heatwave warning for the Greater Seoul area, placing 43% of the region at the highest alert level.
In July, the average temperature in South Korea reached 26.8 degrees Celsius, marking the third highest July temperature on record. The country experienced an average of 9.7 tropical nights, where temperatures remained above 25 degrees Celsius, setting a new record.
Throughout July, heatwave advisories were in effect for an average of 8.9 days nationwide, with the southeastern regions being the most affected. In contrast, Seoul only issued heatwave advisories for two days. The weather department also noted that July saw 220.2 millimeters of rainfall, which is only 72.3% of the normal July average of 296.5 millimeters. The South Gyeongsang Province faced the most severe drought, receiving just 68 millimeters of rain, a mere 21.9% of its average.
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