Struggling Through the Heatwave: Power Outage Hits 2,000 Apartments

[Anchor]

As daytime highs in Seoul climbed to 33°C (91°F), heatwave warnings were issued for some areas. Workers who must perform their duties outdoors are enduring a difficult day in the sweltering weather.

Reporter Lee Se-hyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

This is footage of the Gwanak-gu area in Seoul captured by a drone thermal imaging camera today (July 13).

Not only are building rooftops and roofs glowing red, but residential alleys exposed to the scorching sun are also displayed in deep red.

The daytime high in Seoul reached 33°C (91°F) today, and a heatwave warning was issued for the northeastern part of Seoul, including Dongdaemun-gu.

Around the same time, at a department store parking lot in Seoul, parking attendants were seen drying their sweat-soaked clothes in front of air conditioners and continuing their work with portable neck fans.

[Parking Management Staff: When it gets too hot, we even use umbrellas and put ice packs on our heads while working. On really tough days, I think I drink about 1.5 liters of water.]

Traditional markets feel even more humid and hot due to the awnings that block out the sunlight.

With the added heat from machines roasting sesame seeds at 150°C (302°F), the merchants' clothes have no chance to dry.

[Park Jeong-ja / Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul: If we don't keep the fan on (the machine), it just breaks down. Even with the air conditioner and fans running, it is still too hot.]

A merchant selling vegetables at a stall spends the entire day worrying about freshness.

[Kim Young-yeop / Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul: I have to freeze ice packs and carry them around. If I just leave them out, they turn yellow and I can't sell them.]

For delivery riders who have to wear helmets all day, summer is the most painful season.

As they ride for up to 10 hours a day on roads heated by the scorching sun, sweat pours down like rain.

[Kim Ki-jeong / Delivery Rider: The road is the hottest place. Because of the asphalt heat and exhaust fumes, the helmet gets incredibly hot. So, I open it up from time to time.]

Meanwhile, a power outage occurred in the Haneul City area of Yeongjongdo, Incheon, at 5:00 p.m. today, and restoration work is currently underway.

With power cut off not only to some 2,000 apartment units but also to commercial buildings and hospitals, citizens are facing continued inconvenience with nowhere to escape the heat.

(Video reporting: Bae Moon-san, Lee Sang-hak | Video editing: Kim Yoon-seong | Design: Park Cheon-woong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.