Yangsan, Gyeongnam Hits 40.3°C (104.5°F) for Second Straight Day... "Never Experienced Heat Like This"

[Anchor]

The relentless heat wave covering the Korean Peninsula is showing no signs of abating. In Yangsan, South Gyeongnam Province, daytime high temperatures exceeded 40°C (104.5°F) for two consecutive days for the first time since meteorological observations began.

Reporter Kim su-yun has the details from the Yeongnam region, which is grappling with this historic heat wave.

[Reporter]

Downtown Haeundae in Busan this afternoon (July 30).

Citizens try to shield themselves from the scorching sun with parasols and cool off with portable electric fans or iced water, but to little avail.

[Kim Jong-cheol / Buk-gu, Busan: I have lived in Busan for 40 years, and it is my first time experiencing heat like this. There has never been a year as hot as this one.]

Even at night, the asphalt roads fail to cool down, continuously radiating heat during the middle of the day.

Historic heat waves hovering around 40°C (104.5°F) continued for the second consecutive day, centered around Busan and South Gyeongnam Province.

With heavy heat wave warnings issued for seven regions in Busan and South Gyeongnam, today's daytime highs reached 38.3°C (101.0°F) in Busan, 40.3°C (104.5°F) in Yangsan, and 39°C (102.2°F) in Gimhae.

In the case of Yangsan, temperatures surpassed 40°C yesterday as well, marking the first time since weather observation records began that temperatures have exceeded 40°C for two days in a row at a Korea Meteorological Administration climate observation post.

A severe lack of rainfall is cited as a major cause of the heat wave blanketing the southern region.

Since May 29, precipitation in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongnam has totaled 161.9 mm, reaching only 33.9% of the historical average, marking the second-lowest rainfall since 1973.

With insufficient rainfall even during the monsoon season, the situation has reached a level where drought is becoming a serious concern.

As there has been almost no rain throughout the month, riverbeds in various parts of downtown streams are now exposed, and algae blooms have even begun to appear.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that scorching heat of around 40°C (104.5°F) and tropical nights will persist in Busan and South Gyeongnam for the time being.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video Reported by Jung Kyeong-mun | Video Edited by Park Na-young | Design by Seo Seung-hyun)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.