A heat wave has gripped the Korean Peninsula, pushing heat illness cases past 2,200. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 4th, from May 15 to the day before, 2,221 people nationwide were recorded as having heat-related illnesses. The presumed number of deaths from heat illness is 19. That is fewer than the same period last year (3,208), but older adults and the infirm who have not yet adapted to the extreme heat are at risk of collapsing.
The age group with the most heat illness cases is 65 and older (about 34%). By location, outdoor worksites accounted for 25%, rice paddies and fields 14%, roadsides 12%, and sports grounds 7%. Many older adults, who are vulnerable to heat due to reduced ability to regulate body temperature, developed heat illness while working outside. By region, Gyeonggi accounted for 21%, North Gyeongsang 10%, followed by South Gyeongsang and Seoul at 9%.
Heat illness occurs when the body is exposed to a hot environment for a long time, causing vomiting, dizziness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. As the body sweats to release heat, it loses fluids and salts, leading to heat illness. Usually, resting in a cool place leads to recovery, but if heat stroke develops, body temperature can rise above 40 degrees, leading to loss of consciousness and death. If heat stroke is suspected, the person should be transported quickly to a medical institution by calling 119.
To prevent heat illness, it is best to refrain from outdoor activities at midday. If going out is unavoidable, carry a water bottle and drink water every hour, or lower body temperature with a towel soaked in water. Wearing loose, light-colored clothing and carrying a parasol and a wide-brimmed hat also helps.
The Korean Peninsula is sweltering under a double ridge of the hot, dry Tibetan high and the hot, humid North Pacific high. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 3 p.m. that day, a severe heat wave warning was in effect for parts of the greater Seoul area and the Jeolla region, with heat wave advisories issued for most of the country. A severe heat wave warning is issued when the daily maximum apparent temperature is 38 degrees or higher or the maximum temperature is 39 degrees or higher, and a heat wave advisory is issued when the daily maximum apparent temperature is 33 degrees or higher for two or more consecutive days. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast daytime highs of 30 to 38 degrees from the 5th to the 7th.