Sizzling weather grips Korea

By Kang Seung-woo

The government warned against heat-related illnesses after extreme hot weather sweeping the country, which has resulted in four deaths so far, shows no signs of abating.

“A heat wave is covering the peninsula swing, so people are required to pay attention to heat-related illnesses,” the Korea Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (KCDCP) said Tuesday

“When an excessive heat warning is issued, people are advised to refrain from doing outdoor activities.”

The caution came after the heat wave coupled with tropical nights began hitting the entire country.

According to the KCDCP, 551 people were reported as suffering from heat-related illnesses from May 20 to July 15, two of whom died.

The situation drastically worsened from last Thursday to Sunday with 285 cases, or 52 percent of the cases, were reported, including the two heat-linked deaths -- both of whom were people in their 80s.

Between 2013 and 2017, 6,500 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported and 40 percent of them, or 2,588, involved people working outside between noon and 5 p.m.

During those five years, July and August saw the most occurrences with 5,077, or 78 percent.

According to a Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) mid-term forecast, the current heat wave is expected to continue at least until July 27. In addition, there will likely be sporadic hot temperatures until mid-August.

“High pressure will bring generally clear weather until July 27 and the temperature will be higher than in an average year, with lower rainfall,” the KMA said.

Seoul's highest average temperature in mid-July is 28.2 degrees Celsius, but it registered 31.3 degrees from last Wednesday to Monday. Daegu also saw its highest average temperature measured at 35.4 degrees during the same period.

Heat-related illnesses occur when a person fails to adequately cool their body. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, a rapid heartbeat, fainting and breathing problems, which can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The latter occurs when a person experiences overheating due to a prolonged exposure to high temperatures, while the former is caused by an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat.

In related news, the nation's electricity consumption reached a new summertime high Monday amid the scorching heat searing the nation.

According to the state-run Korea Power Exchange, the maximum electricity load hit 86.21 million kilowatts as of 5 p.m., as the first heat wave warning of the year was issued in Seoul. The temperature also hovered above 30 degrees Celsius in most other parts of the country.

The previous summer high consumption was 85.18 million kilowatts recorded Aug. 12, 2016.