Southern parts of Korea were placed under heat warnings Wednesday, with heat wave advisories raised in South Gyeongsang Province, South Jeolla Province, Busan, Daegu and Ulsan.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures in a total of 12 cities and counties of South Gyeongsang Province, including Changwon, Jinju and Gimhae, reached 34 degrees Celsius and daytime highs were expected to surge to 36 C.
Gwangju was put under a heat advisory with the highest apparent temperature expected to reach 33 C, but nearby cities and counties in South Jeolla Province saw temperatures rise to around 36 C during the day, the KMA said. Apparent temperature factors in the effects of wind and humidity.
In South Korea, heat wave advisories are issued when the highest apparent temperature is expected to reach over 33 C for more than two consecutive days. Heat wave warnings are announced when the highest temperature is expected to reach 35 C or higher for two or more consecutive days or when major damage is anticipated from the heat.
With the maximum apparent temperature expected to reach around 33 C to 35 C in each of South Korea’s nine provincial regions, the weather agency urged people on Wednesday to take extra care of their health.
“In regions experiencing sporadic showers, temperatures might drop temporarily. But the daytime temperature will quickly rise again after the rain, leading to continued heat and humid weather,” said the weather agency.
Meanwhile, ozone advisories were in effect in some southern cities — Busan, Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province and Yeosu in South Jeolla Province.
The advisories were issued on Wednesday at 2 p.m. for the coastal cities of Busan and Yeosu, and at 3 p.m. for Gimhae.
The alert is issued when ozone concentration levels reach an hourly average of 0.12 parts per million, advising people to stay indoors. Ozone exposure can lead to respiratory diseases, especially among the elderly and children.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported that 61 people have been treated for heat-related illnesses since Monday, when the nationwide heavy rain alerts were lifted.
No fatalities had been reported by the ministry as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Interior Ministry asked the relevant agencies to check on people's safety by visiting elderly people and making on-site inspections at workplaces, carry out measures to prevent heat illnesses, and issue guidelines on how to stay safe in the heat.
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com
