[Anchor]
Amid record-breaking heatwaves, the Yeongnam region is suffering the most. Yangsan in South Gyeongsang Province has exceeded 40°C (104°F) for two consecutive days for the first time since weather observations began, and Busan also recorded its second-highest temperature on record.
Reporter Kim Su-yun visited the scene.
[Reporter]
Downtown Haeundae, Busan.
People shield themselves from the blazing sun with parasols, trying to cool off with portable electric fans and ice water, but to no avail.
[Kim Jong-cheol / Buk-gu, Busan: "I have lived in Busan for 40 years, and this is my first time experiencing such heat. There has never been a year as hot as this."]
The asphalt roads, failing to cool down even at night, continuously emit heatwaves during midday.
Record-breaking heatwaves of around 40°C (104°F) have continued for two days, centered around Busan and South Gyeongsang Province.
With severe heatwave warnings issued for seven regions in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province, peak temperatures reached 38.3°C (101°F) in Busan, while South Gyeongsang Province saw Yangsan hit 40.3°C (104.5°F) and Gimhae 39°C (102.2°F).
In Yangsan, temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) for two consecutive days at a Korea Meteorological Administration climate observation post mark the first time since observations began.
The scarcity of rainfall is cited as a major cause of the heatwave blanketing the southern region.
Since May 29, precipitation in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province has totaled 161.9 mm, reaching only 33.9% of the average year, marking the second-lowest rainfall since 1973.
With little rain falling even during the monsoon season, the situation has now reached a level where drought is a genuine concern.
As almost no rain has fallen throughout the month, riverbeds in various urban streams are exposed, and algae blooms have even begun to appear.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that scorching heat of around 40°C (104°F) and tropical nights will continue in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province for the time being.
(Video by Jeong Gyeong-mun | Video Editing by Park Na-young | Design by Seo Seung-hyun)
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