'42.5°C in Yangsan'... First Time in 122 Years Weather Observation History to Exceed 42°C

[Anchor]

Yangsan in South Gyeongsang Province has been recorded as the hottest place in South Korea since weather observations began. The highest temperature reached 42.5°C (108°F), and a heat wave exceeding 40°C (104°F) has continued for five consecutive days.

Today's (August 3) first news report comes from reporter Park Seyong.

[Reporter]

At 1:26 PM yesterday, the temperature in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, was recorded at 42.5°C (108°F).

This is the first time temperatures in the 42°C range have been recorded in the 122 years since South Korea began meteorological observations in 1904.

This is the highest record not only among the country's 97 climate statistics observation points, but also when including records from approximately 550 automatic observation equipment nationwide.

It is already the fifth consecutive day that Yangsan has exceeded 40°C (104°F).

Due to unusually low rainfall during the recent monsoon season compounded by the heat wave, the water storage rate of Unmun Dam in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, which supplies water to Daegu, has dropped to the 27% range.

This is the "severe" stage, the highest level in drought stages.

An old bus route, a bridge from the Japanese colonial period, and village sites that were submerged 41 years ago with the construction of Unmun Dam have been completely revealed.

The average water storage rate of reservoirs in the Miryang area, including Waji Reservoir, has also dropped to the 30% range.

Some reservoirs are in the 1% range, practically drying up.

The government has upgraded the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for heat waves to Level 2.

[Yun Ho-jung / Minister of the Interior and Safety : When water dries up like this, people draw water from other reservoirs nearby, but it seems there aren't many places to do that? (Yes, because the average water storage rate of all reservoirs is currently in the 30% range...)]

Heat-related illnesses increased by 96 to reach a total of 1,889, with 14 deaths.

Compared to the same period last year, the number of patients is at 62%, but fatalities reach 74%, higher than that ratio.

(Photo courtesy of TBC / Filmed by Kim Do-yun TBC, Edited by Jeon Min-gyu, Design by Choi Jae-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.