Seoul gets first heatwave advisory this year
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Exposure to extreme heat for an extended period of time can result in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps and fatigue.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL - The hot weather is expected to begin in earnest, with South Korea’s weather forecaster on Sunday issuing the first heatwave advisory of the year throughout Seoul and eastern Gyeonggi Province.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heatwave advisory for all parts of Seoul and eastern Gyeonggi Province on 11am local time on Sunday. The warning is issued when the daily maximum sensory temperature is expected to be over 33 deg C for more than two consecutive days.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will operate a comprehensive support situation committee as the first heatwave warning was issued this year. Emergency relief supplies will be prepared and monitoring will also be conducted to protect vulnerable communities, such as the elderly living alone or the homeless.
“As the number of days with heatwaves is increasing due to global warming, we will immediately operate the heatwave comprehensive support situation committee to take care of citizens,” said Seoul Metropolitan Government’s safety office head Choi Jin-seok.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) added that people should take precautions for heat-related diseases. A total of 86 people reported that they suffered from heat-related diseases from May 20 to Thursday, and one of them died, according to the KDCA. This was compared with 77 individuals during the same period last year, but the first death this year was recorded earlier, on May 21. The first death from a heat-related disease last year occurred on July 1.
Those exposed to extreme heat for an extended period of time can experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps and fatigue.
In order to prevent heat-related diseases, it is helpful to reduce outdoor daytime activities as much as possible when a heatwave warning is issued and to wear hats and bright and loose clothes. People should drink water regularly, and those with symptoms like dizziness, headache and nausea, should be moved to a cool place immediately, the KDCA said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
