14 dead of suspected heat-related ailments as extreme temperatures continue

Social Affairs

14 dead of suspected heat-related ailments as extreme temperatures continue

Published: 05 Aug. 2024, 18:45 Updated: 05 Aug. 2024, 19:33

A child runs around in a fountain in Gwanghwamun Plaza in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday to beat the extreme heat wave that continued to bake the country. [NEWS1]

Korea's protracted extreme heat wave — forecast to linger through mid-August — is believed to have killed over a dozen people and 257,000 livestock, according to health authorities on Monday.

Counting the heat-related deaths reported over the weekend, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed that the total number of heat-related fatalities this year had reached 14 as of Sunday.

On Saturday, three women in Gwangju and North Gyeongsang died after suffering heat-related symptoms while outdoors.

On Sunday, fire authorities reported the deaths of two men in their 90s from Suncheon, South Jeolla, due to suspected heat-related causes.

KDCA's latest data also revealed that 1,690 people experienced heat-related illnesses from May 20 to Sunday.

Among them, 77.3 percent, or 1,306, were men. Heat-related illnesses were notably higher among older adults, with those over 65 representing 32.7 percent of the cases.

Older individuals are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to their reduced ability to sense rising body temperatures, manage dehydration and release sweats.

Gyeonggi saw the highest number of heat-related patients with 290 cases, followed by South Jeolla with 215 and South Gyeongsang with 192.

A majority, 79.6 percent, of those affected were outdoors when they experienced the symptoms.

The heat wave also led to the substantial loss of 257,483 livestock from June 11 to last Saturday, including 235,880 chickens and other birds, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Monday.

Additionally, 5,867 flatfish from six fish farms died due to the nationwide extreme heat.

These losses are attributed to the intense heat wave gripping the nation since late last month, following the end of the rainy monsoon season.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecasts that the intense heat wave will persist until mid-August, with daytime temperatures expected to reach as high as 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Taebaek, a city in Gangwon, the country's coolest region, was issued its very first heat wave advisory of the season on Thursday after the daytime temperature exceeded 33 degrees Celsius.

The city also experienced its hottest July since measurements began in 1985.

The relentless daytime heat is expected to continue through the night, leading to widespread tropical nights nationwide.

As of Monday, Seoul had experienced 15 consecutive tropical nights, while Jeju had seen 21 straight nights. The lowest temperature overnight on the resort island hit 28.8 degrees at 5:58 a.m. on Monday.

The KMA said on Monday that the average number of tropical nights nationwide as of Sunday this year was 12 days, significantly longer than the usual average of 3.7 days.

A tropical night is defined by a minimum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius or higher from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the next day.

Frequent rain showers of up to 40 millimeters are forecast on Tuesday, but these are unlikely to provide significant relief from the heat. The KMA said high humidity following rain showers makes conditions feel even hotter.

Last week, the Interior Ministry issued its highest heat wave warning of "serious" and upgraded its response posture to Level 1, also the highest level.

The ministry advises people to avoid outdoor activities between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and seek cool places if they feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]