At least 11 deaths linked to scorching heat wave in S. Korea
SEOUL - Amid an intense heat wave in South Korea that shows no signs of abating, a government estimate suggested on July 27 that the number of suspected heat-related deaths has almost tripled, compared with 2024.
From May 20 until July 25, the government's daily estimate showed that 11 deaths were suspected to be heat-related. The figure is nearly three times higher than the four recorded in the same period in 2024.
In the latest incident, a pedestrian in his 50s died at around 3pm on July 25 after he collapsed in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
By region, Gyeonggi Province saw three deaths, while South Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province reported two deaths each. A total of four deaths were reported in Seoul, Busan, North Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province, according to the estimate by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
The government also estimated that nearly 2,200 people experienced heat wave-related illnesses in the same period, up more than twofold on-year. Eighty-seven of the cases were reported on July 25 alone.
With the mercury rising above 37 deg C on July 27, the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast suggested that the heat wave, defined as successive days when the high tops 35 deg C, will likely last until July 31.
South Korea is currently under the influence of
double high-pressure systems , as the Ministry of Interior and Safety on July 25 estimated that over 40 per cent of South Korea's territory would see highs of 35 deg C over the next three days.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs
Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole
Asia Thai-Cambodia border shelling continues despite Trump's ceasefire call
Singapore PAP has to retain its position for S'pore to keep doing well: SM Lee
Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021
Singapore HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposal bins at 23 CCs
Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024
Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes
The same day, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters entered Level 1 emergency operations – the lowest of the three-tiered system.
On July 27, heat wave advisories or warnings were in effect in 180 out of 183 weather zones across the country.
The coastal city of Gangneung in Gangwon Province saw the highest temperature as of 2pm, reaching 37.2 deg C, followed by 36.7 deg C in Seoul; 36.6 deg C in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province; and 36.4 deg C in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, according to the weather authorities.
The apparent temperature – reflecting how hot it feels to the human body – hit 38 C in Paju, Gyeonggi Province; 37.1 deg C in Ganghwado Island of Incheon; 36.2 deg C in Gochang-gun, North Jeolla Province; 36.1 deg C in Gangneung, Gangwon Province; and 35 deg C in Seoul, as of 1pm on July 27.
On July 26, the mercury topped 40 deg C in some regions, with Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, marking a high of 41.3 deg C.
In Seoul, daily highs are forecast to reach 35 deg C or higher through July 31, then dipping below 35 deg C starting Aug 1 due to increased cloud cover.
Seoul will also endure tropical nights, as nighttime temperatures will stay above 26 deg C throughout the week. The daily lows in the capital are forecast to be around 27 deg C on July 28 and 28 deg C on July 30.
The heat wave, coupled with
heavy downpours in mid-July , has caused significant crop damage, resulting in a spike in food prices.
According to data from the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, as of July 25, the retail price of a head of cabbage rose more than 50 per cent from a month earlier to 5,436 won (S$5), while a kilogram of spinach rose by more than 153 per cent to 22,760 won. A kilogram of lettuce retailed for 12,690 won, up 31.5 per cent from June.
The KMA estimated that South Korea experienced 9.5 days of heat wave conditions from June 1 until last July 25, which was the second-highest number recorded since 1973.
Meanwhile, according to the Interior Ministry as of the morning of July 27, South Korea had enough capacity to cover the 81.5 gigawatts of electricity demand during the peak hours expected on the evening of July 27. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Thundery showers expected on most days in first half of August
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on most days in the first half of August. SINGAPORE - Keep your brollies by your side when you are leaving the house in the first two weeks of August, as thundery showers are expected on most days. Rain is expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon, and there may be strong winds in the early morning due to Sumatra squalls, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) on Aug 1. South-west monsoon conditions will continue from the previous fortnight, with winds blowing mainly from the south-east or south-west, added the weatherman in an advisory. The daily maximum temperature is likely to range between 32 deg C and 34 deg C on most days. In the last two weeks of July, the weather was mostly fair and warm, with thundery showers on some days. The daily maximum temperatures rose above 33 deg C on most days, with Admiralty and Paya Lebar recording the highest temperature of 34.9 deg C on July 17 and July 18 respectively. Some nights were warm, especially in the eastern, southern and western areas of Singapore, where minimum temperatures at night remained above 27 deg C. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road will progressively open to motorists from Aug 2 noon World Trump modifies reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; rate on Singapore remains at 10% Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore Business Sumo Salad had valid insurance coverage for work injury claims: MOM Asia Australia to force Google to conduct age checks in world-first rules for search engines Singapore PM Wong to deliver National Day message on Aug 8 Rainfall recorded was below average for most parts of Singapore, such as Paya Lebar , which registered rainfall of 83 per cent below average. On July 3 0, converging winds brought thundery showers over many areas of Singapore at night . The daily total rainfall of 88.4mm at Lower Peirce Reservoir that day was the highest rainfall recorded in the second half of July.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Europe braces itself for next heatwave after cool start to August
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Customers sit near fans at an outdoor restaurant during a heatwave in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on July 25, 2025. MADRID – Europe's next heatwave is already building over the Iberian peninsula, potentially testing more temperature records after an unseasonably cool start to August. The cooler interlude will soon pass as a high-pressure system over Portugal and Spain marches east across the continent through mid-August, according to forecast models. Daytime highs could rise to 42 deg C in southern Spain, with average temperatures climbing 10 deg C above the norm, according to national forecaster Aemet. That will bring 'further heatwave risks, particularly across the west through August', said Dr Amy Hodgson, a meteorologist with Atmospheric G2. Climate change is boosting the intensity and frequency of heatwaves, threatening the health of millions of people and stressing power systems in Europe, the fastest-warming continent. Last week, Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature of 50.5 deg C. That heat is also triggering extreme weather events, from wildfires to violent storms. While the latest heatwave could weaken as it spreads east, unseasonably high temperatures are expected for Britain, France and Switzerland by the end of next week. London could see highs near 30 deg C on Aug 11, with Paris reaching 37 deg C after that. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road will progressively open to motorists from Aug 2 noon World Trump modifies reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; rate on Singapore likely to remain at 10% Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore Business Sumo Salad had valid insurance coverage for work injury claims: MOM Asia Australia to force Google to conduct age checks in world-first rules for search engines Singapore PM Wong to deliver National Day message on Aug 8 Parts of central and south-eastern Europe will also be impacted, with highs forecast to reach 38 deg C in Geneva and nearly 40 deg C in Cyprus. Before that transition, a swathe of the continent from Britain in the north-west to Greece in the south-east will see average temperatures a few degrees below normal as August begins. A strong jet stream is also expected to drive a surge in wind generation across central and eastern regions, Dr Hodgson said. That output will fade as the high-pressure system establishes itself, bringing stronger solar generation through mid-August. The hot, dry weather could also force Electricite de France to curb nuclear generation at reactors along the Rhone river as rising water temperatures compromise cooling operations. 'Further heat and little precipitation is expected across France through August, which would put further stress on river systems,' Dr Hodgson, with Atmospheric G2, said. Storm uncertainty Confidence in longer-term forecast models covering the end of August is lower due to an expected increase in tropical storm activity in the north Atlantic, Dr Hodgson said. The timing and position of those storms can power atmospheric changes that change the intensity and direction of the jet stream arriving in Europe. Comparing the forecast conditions for late-August to those in previous years, however, MetDesk meteorologist Emma Patmore sees potential for a high-pressure system forming in north-west Europe with a low-pressure trough in the south-east. That could set the stage for a late-summer heatwave across the continent. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Seoul breaks century-long record with 22 ‘tropical nights' in July
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Overnight temperatures in Seoul have sizzled above 25 deg C for 22 consecutive days in July, officials said. SEOUL - A streak of super-hot tropical nights broke a century-old South Korean weather record, according to official data released on July 31, as the peninsula bakes in a prolonged heatwave. Overnight temperatures in Seoul have sizzled above 25 deg C for 22 consecutive days in July, officials said on July 31, marking the longest such streak for the month since modern weather records began in October 1907. Such evenings are known as 'tropical nights' in South Korea. The capital was also on track to record its hottest July night in history on July 30, with the lowest temperature of the day reaching 29.3 deg C – unless overnight temperatures rise even higher on July 31. Much of the world is enduring a summer of sweltering weather, with June being the hottest month ever recorded for 12 countries, according to an AFP analysis of data from the European climate monitor Copernicus. The intense heat in Seoul is expected to continue, according to the meteorology office. 'The warm air from the North Pacific High began affecting South Korea a bit earlier than usual,' Mr Youn Ki-han, director at Seoul's Meteorology Forecast Division, told AFP. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Singapore Driver in 2024 Tampines crash that killed 2 set to plead guilty in October Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Multimedia Firefly-inspired light show at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made 'As that influence gradually built up, the heat accumulated, much like interest compounding in a savings account, slowly increasing over time,' said Mr Youn. 'Normally, if it's hot for just a day, temperatures spike and then quickly return to normal. But when warm conditions persist for several days, the heat doesn't fully dissipate, it lingers and accumulates with each day,' he added. Thirteen people have died from suspected heat-related causes so far in 2025, triple the number from the same period in 2024, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Hundreds of thousands of livestock have also perished amid the extreme heat. AFP
