South Korea: Heat-related illness patients in late summer up threefold over past decade
Seoul, Aug 8 (IANS) The number of heat-related illness cases reported in late summer nearly tripled in the past 10 years, government data showed on Saturday.
An annual average of 215 heat-related patients were reported from “ipchu” to the end of August during the 2011-2015 period, according to an analysis by a research institute under the interior ministry using data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Ipchu, which falls on August 7 this year, marks the beginning of autumn on the traditional calendar.
The figure rose to an annual average of 658 cases in 2016-2020 and to 638 cases in 2021-2025.
Deaths linked to heat-related illnesses also increased during the same period, rising from an annual average of 3.3 patients in 2012-2015 to more than four patients over the past decade from 2016 to 2025.
In 2024 alone, 1,299 people suffered from heat-related illnesses, and 12 died from heat-related illnesses until late August, reports Yonhap news agency.
Heat waves are expected to continue until late August this year, with daytime highs expected to range from 31-35 degrees Celsius across the country.
Most parts of South Korea were forecast to be sweltering under an extreme heat wave, as blistering heat was expected to continue with daytime highs as high as 37 degrees Celsius, according to the state weather service Saturday.
Heavy rain of up to 100 millimetres is expected for parts of the east coast and mountainous regions of Gangwon Province, while the greater capital area and the central regions will also receive up to 40 mm of scattered showers from the afternoon, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Temperatures are expected to temporarily ease in areas affected by the downpour, but the heat and humidity will return once the rain stops, it added.
Daytime highs were forecast at 26-37 degrees Celsius, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in the Seoul metropolitan area and 36 degrees Celsius in the central city of Daejeon.
The Korea Road Traffic Authority said it will temporarily scale back or suspend driving tests amid the prolonged heat wave, citing concerns over heat-related illnesses among test takers and staff.
–IANS
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