[Anchor]
The heat refuses to subside even at night. Temperatures in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, have surpassed 40°C (104°F) for the first time this year. Busan has recorded its highest temperature since weather observations began about 120 years ago.
Here is a report from reporter Kim Su-yun.
[Reporter]
Right in the middle of downtown Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do.
Heatwaves shimmer over the roads under the scorching sun, and citizens hurry along, relying on parasols and portable fans.
The downtown water park is packed with people trying to escape the heat.
[Son Ji-ho and Son Jae-hyeok / Buk-gu, Busan: With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, it's a bit hot even under the shade. Getting into the water is somewhat better, but it's still very hot.]
As the water temperature rises in the extreme heat and stepping outside brings a breath-stopping wave of warmth, some citizens turn their steps back home.
[Chae Jin-a and Kim Gi-hwan / Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do: I think this is the first time in my life feeling a temperature like this. It's so hot that even when we go into the water, it feels lukewarm; the weather is just too hot.]
The temperature in Yangsan soared up to 40.3°C (104.5°F).
This is the highest level since weather observations began in Yangsan in 2008.
It broke the record once again just three days after recording an all-time high of 39.3°C (102.7°F) on the 26th.
This is also the first time that July temperatures have exceeded 40°C (104°F) at a climate statistics observation point officially used by the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Busan also surged to 38.8°C (101.8°F), recording its highest temperature in 122 years since weather observations began in 1904.
There are a total of seven regions in the Busan-Gyeongnam area under heavy heatwave warnings.
The cause of this record-breaking heatwave is analyzed to be the warm and humid southwesterly winds that cross the Sobaek Mountains and are heated up once more by the föhn effect before flowing into the Yeongnam region.
In addition, the Tibetan high-pressure system has expanded over the Korean Peninsula, settling thickly from the upper to lower layers and bringing continuous clear and sweltering weather.
In particular, with Yangsan's cumulative July precipitation standing at a meager 40.7 mm and virtually no rain falling across Gyeongsangnam-do throughout the month, the heat absorbed by the ground is failing to cool down.
Consequently, extreme heatwaves hovering around 40°C (104°F) and tropical nights are expected to persist in the Yeongnam region for the time being.
(Video by Jung Kyeong-moon | Video Editing by Lee Hong-myung | Design by Kim Ye-ji and Park Tae-young)
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