Global Courant
SEOUL — The hot weather is expected to begin in earnest, with South Korea’s weather forecaster issuing the first heat wave advisory of the year in Seoul and eastern Gyeonggi province on Sunday.
The Meteorological Administration of Korea issued a heat wave advisory for all parts of Seoul and eastern Gyeonggi province at 11 a.m. local time on Sunday. The alert is issued when the daily maximum sensory temperature is expected to exceed 33°C for more than two consecutive days.
The Seoul government said it will establish a comprehensive support committee as the first heat wave warning was issued this year. Emergency relief items will be prepared and monitored to protect vulnerable communities, such as elderly people living alone or the homeless.
“As the number of heat wave days increases due to global warming, we will immediately establish the Comprehensive Heat Wave Support Committee to take care of the citizens,” said Seoul Metropolitan Government Security Bureau Chief Choi Jin-seok .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) added that people should take precautions for heat-related illness. A total of 86 people reported suffering from heat-related illnesses from May 20 to Thursday, according to the KDCA, and one of them died. This was compared to 77 people in the same period last year, but the first death this year was recorded earlier, on May 21. The first death from a heat-related illness last year occurred on July 1.
Those who are exposed to extreme heat for extended periods of time may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps and fatigue.
To prevent heat-related illness, it is helpful to limit outdoor activities during the day when a heat wave warning is issued and to wear hats and light and loose clothing. People should drink water regularly, and those with symptoms such as dizziness, headache and nausea should be moved to a cool place immediately, the KDCA said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
