Yangsan Hits 40.3°C for Second Straight Day... Scorching Heat to Continue Through Weekend

[Anchor]

Amid a nationwide heatwave, Yangsan in South Gyeongsang Province has recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C for two consecutive days for the first time since weather observations began. This intense heat is expected to persist nationwide through the weekend.

Reporter Kim su-yun has the story.

[Reporter]

Downtown Haeundae, Busan.

People try to escape the blazing sun with parasols, cooling off with portable electric fans or ice water, but to no avail.

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

The asphalt roads, unable to cool down even at night, radiate continuous heat during the day.

Record-breaking heatwaves of around 40°C have continued for two days straight, centering around Busan and South Gyeongsang Province.

With a severe heatwave warning issued for seven regions in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province, the peak temperatures reached 38.3°C in Busan, while South Gyeongsang Province saw Yangsan hit 40.3°C and Gimhae 39°C.

For Yangsan, this marks the first time since records began that temperatures at the Korea Meteorological Administration's climate observation station have exceeded 40°C for two days in a row.

The persistent lack of rain is cited as a cause of the heatwave blanketing the southern region.

Since May 29, rainfall in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province has totaled 161.9 mm, reaching only 33.9% of the average year, making it the second-lowest rainfall recorded since 1973.

With little rain falling even during the monsoon season, the situation has now reached a point where drought is becoming a concern.

As there has been almost no rain throughout the month, parts of downtown streams are revealing their dry beds or showing signs of green algae.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that heatwaves around 40°C and tropical nights will continue in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province for the time being.

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