Heat wave sweeps across country
A child frolics in a fountain in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Monday as a scorching heat wave prevails across the nation. [NEWSIS]
The KMA issued a heat wave warning in Seoul and Gyeonggi on Monday, warning its residents that temperatures will reach 33.4 degrees Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day. The KMA issues a heat wave warning when the highest temperature during the day hits 33 degrees Celsius or higher for two consecutive days or more. The highest temperature on Sunday was 33.1 degrees Celsius.
Health authorities cautioned citizens to take rest and avoid being out in the sun for too long in order to prevent heat-related strokes and illnesses. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s records from May 23 to Friday, 213 people got sick from the heat, one of whom died.
The CDC added on Sunday that the number of people with heat sickness has risen exponentially, reaching 74 people in the past week alone.
In Gangnam District and Yeongdeungpo District of southern Seoul, the year’s first tropical night phenomenon was observed on Sunday night, with the temperature hitting 25.4 degrees Celsius in Gangnam District and 25.8 degrees Celsius in Yeongdeungpo District. Tropical night phenomenon is observed when the nighttime temperature in a region does not go below 25 degrees Celsius. The heat wave will subside after rain reaches most of the nation on Tuesday.
According to the KMA, the rain that reached Jeju Island and the southern coast of Korea on Monday will hit the central regions of the country, including Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon, and will end by Tuesday night. From Tuesday afternoon to night, the central regions of the country and Seoul will be hit with 5 to 40 millimeters (0.2 to 1.6 inches) of rainfall per hour.
BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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