Heatwave claims 13 lives
Record temperatures hospitalize hundreds, create power outages
Children play in a fountain to cool off after days of over-35 degree weather in Seoul (Stephen Hong)
- Stephen Hong, Seoul
- Korea
- August 8, 2012
South Korea continues to languish in an intense heatwave that has resulted in 13 deaths, 742 hospitalizations and widespread livestock damage.
Since July 20, temperatures have hovered above 33 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The heatwave is expected to continue through this week.
“Vulnerable people like the elderly who live alone or patients should lower the intensity of their daily activities to adapt their bodies to the heat,” said Kwon Bong-mok of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Drink more water and avoid outdoor activities in the daytime.”
Seoul reported a high of 36 degrees yesterday, the sixth consecutive day that the capital has experienced highs of over 35 degrees.
The scorching heat has killed more than 330,500 chickens, 10,700 ducks and 96 pigs, according to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Green algae has blossomed in the Han River in Seoul due to high water temperature and a lack of rain and several blackouts have been reported across the country.
The state-run Korea Power Exchange issued a power shortage alert yesterday due to a surge in electricity consumption caused by the heatwave, saying the country’s electricity reserve dropped to below 4 million kilowatts.
Despite opposition from anti-nuclear groups, the government restarted the Kori-1 reactor, the country’s oldest nuclear reactor, on Monday. It had been shut down since March for a safety inspection.
Related reports
IAEA nuclear inspection draws fire
Since July 20, temperatures have hovered above 33 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The heatwave is expected to continue through this week.
“Vulnerable people like the elderly who live alone or patients should lower the intensity of their daily activities to adapt their bodies to the heat,” said Kwon Bong-mok of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Drink more water and avoid outdoor activities in the daytime.”
Seoul reported a high of 36 degrees yesterday, the sixth consecutive day that the capital has experienced highs of over 35 degrees.
The scorching heat has killed more than 330,500 chickens, 10,700 ducks and 96 pigs, according to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Green algae has blossomed in the Han River in Seoul due to high water temperature and a lack of rain and several blackouts have been reported across the country.
The state-run Korea Power Exchange issued a power shortage alert yesterday due to a surge in electricity consumption caused by the heatwave, saying the country’s electricity reserve dropped to below 4 million kilowatts.
Despite opposition from anti-nuclear groups, the government restarted the Kori-1 reactor, the country’s oldest nuclear reactor, on Monday. It had been shut down since March for a safety inspection.
Related reports
IAEA nuclear inspection draws fire
