Seoul swelters through 14th day of heat wave as tropical nights hit 23-day streak

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Seoul swelters through 14th day of heat wave as tropical nights hit 23-day streak

Published: 13 Aug. 2024, 11:29 Updated: 14 Aug. 2024, 09:08

A person cools off with a portable fan at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Jongno District, central Seoul, where a heat wave warning was issued on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Seoul is suffocating under a grueling heat wave, with a warning in effect for the 14th consecutive day and the 23rd consecutive tropical night, marking the third-longest streak on record for tropical nights.

On Tuesday, Seoul experienced its 23rd consecutive tropical night, breaking the previous record of 21 set in 2016 and marking the third-longest streak on record since meteorological observations began in Seoul in 1907. Tuesday also marked the 14th consecutive day of a heat wave warning in Seoul since July 31.

A tropical night occurs when nighttime temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) from 6:01 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day.

The cities of Incheon and Busan also experienced tropical nights for 21 days and 19 days in a row, respectively.

While most areas across the country remain under heat wave warnings, the average number of heat wave days nationwide in August was 8.2 as of Tuesday, already approaching last year's average of nine.

This blistering weather in August follows July's heavy downpours, which caused significant damage and left many residents still recovering from the monsoon rains.

On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared four areas severely affected by recent torrential rains as special emergency disaster zones.

These areas include Beobwon-eup, Jeokseong-myeon and Jangdan-myeon in Paju, Gyeonggi, along with Myeoncheon-myeon in Dangjin, South Chungcheong. The special disaster zone status allows these areas to be eligible for government financial support for recovery work, relief funds for victims and other benefits.

Despite the monsoon season ending last month, Yoon expressed sympathy for residents, stating, "I feel for residents who are still having difficulty due to damaged rain," according to the presidential office.

The oppressive warmth and tropical nights are expected to persist nationwide, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

On Wednesday, greater Seoul, Gangwon inland and Jeolla may see occasional rain showers between five and 60 millimeters, according to the KMA.

Between May 20 and Sunday, a total of 2,293 people suffered heat-related illnesses, resulting in 21 deaths, according to data compiled by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Of these, 14 deaths occurred in August alone.

Gyeonggi saw the highest number of heat-related illness patients with 454 cases, while South Gyeongsang reported the most deaths, with six.

The intense heat has also led to the death of 703,000 livestock between June 11 and Monday, while 895,000 fish have died in aquafarms.

Update, Aug. 13: Further details on temperatures in specific areas of Korea and comments from President Yoon.

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