Beirut: South Korea on Monday issued its highest-level heat wave warnings for 17 areas in the southern part of the country. The Korea Meteorological Administration announced the warnings starting at 11 am (0200GMT) for regions including Daegu, nine areas in South Gyeongsang Province such as Gimhae, Miryang, Yangsan, Uiryeong, Jinju, and Changwon; six areas in North Gyeongsang Province, including Gyeongsan, Pohang, and Gyeongju; and Gwangyang in South Jeolla Province, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
According to Anadolu Agency, the highest-level warning is issued when the apparent temperature hits 38C (100.4F) or when the daily high reaches 39C (102.2F), with these temperatures considered life-threatening. By 1 pm (0400GMT), apparent temperatures had already reached 37.4C (99.3F) in Yangsan and 37.3C (99.1F) in Gwangyang, with expectations of further increases in the afternoon.
This summer, South Gyeongsang experienced its first highest-level heat warnings on Saturday for Yangsan and Uiryeong, with temperatures soaring to 39.3C (102.7F) in Yangsan and 39.1C (102.4F) in Miryang on Sunday, marking the highest recorded levels this year. The province reported six additional cases of heat-related illnesses on Saturday, bringing the total since May 15 to 112. Furthermore, heat-related livestock deaths in the area have reached 10,599, including 2,469 pigs and 8,130 poultry. The agency has advised people to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and to stay hydrated to prevent heat-related health issues.
Meanwhile, in Japan, officials have issued warnings for both heatstroke and landslides as extreme temperatures affected the western and central regions, while other areas are bracing for heavy rainfall, according to public broadcaster NHK. Temperatures reached 37.4C (99.3F) in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, and 37.3C (99.1F) in Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture, by 11 am (0200GMT) on Monday, with forecasts predicting further rises to dangerous levels. Heatstroke alerts have been issued for 23 of Japan's 47 prefectures.
In addition to the heat, officials have warned of potential heavy rain, flooding, swollen rivers, landslides, lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes affecting several regions.
China is also on alert, with the Ministry of Water Resources maintaining a Level III emergency flood response in Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guangdong provinces due to heavy rain, as reported by Xinhua News Agency. A Level IV response continues in Fujian, Henan, Hubei provinces, and the Guangxi region. China operates a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.