First-ever Extreme Heat Major Alert Issued Across Seoul

For the first time in history, the highest level of heatwave alert, a severe heatwave warning, has been issued across all of Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued the advisory on the 4th for Seoul and some parts of Gyeonggi Province, and extreme heat continued, with daytime temperatures in Seoul exceeding 39 degrees. A severe heatwave warning takes effect when the daily maximum apparent temperature is expected to be 38 degrees or higher, or the maximum temperature is expected to be 39 degrees or higher. That day, temperatures around 39 degrees were recorded in places across the Seoul metropolitan area, including Hanam, Seoul, and Yeoju, and the same level of warning was issued in the Honam region, including Gwangju and Jeonju. As the heatwave has continued, damage from heatrelated illnesses is also increasing. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 186 people suffered heatrelated illnesses in a single day on the 3rd, the highest so far this year, bringing the cumulative number of patients to 2,221 and the estimated death toll to 19. The government believes that disasterlevel management is needed to respond to the nationwide heatwave situation.