[Anchor]

The entire country was boiling again today, July 13. Daegu, in particular, recorded the highest temperature in the nation at 37.7°C (100°F). Our reporting team measured temperatures in downtown Daegu and found they exceeded 40°C (104°F).

TBC reporter Park Ga-young has the story.

[Reporter]

The construction site is empty, without a single worker in sight.

Under a tent where only an old electric fan spins weakly, the temperature reads a staggering 38.9°C (102°F).

Although an ice machine was installed to prepare for the heat wave, it is of little use in such blistering weather.

[Kim Sam-seok/Construction Worker: (Do you not feel dizzy or anything like that? Working in this kind of weather...) It is like that when it is very hot. When it is hot, we take salt tablets and work.]

The temperature in Daegu currently observed by the Korea Meteorological Administration is hovering around 34°C (93°F).

However, the temperature recorded on a thermometer here in the city center has already surpassed 42°C (108°F).

Ice cubes placed on the ground melt in less than a minute.

Citizens have gathered in an underground shopping center to escape the heat, but even here, they are fanning themselves constantly due to how hot it is outside.

[Min Byeong-gwon/Dalseong-gun, Daegu: Oh, it is like a steamer at home. Even if you turn on the air conditioner, there is the issue of electricity bills, so you cannot keep it on for long.]

Today, the daytime temperature in Sinam, Daegu, reached 37.7°C (100°F) based on automatic weather observation equipment, marking the highest in the nation. Other areas also experienced sweltering heat, with Homigot in Pohang and Hayang in Gyeongsan reaching 37.5°C (100°F), and Hwangseong in Gyeongju hitting 37°C (99°F).

A total of 25 people have suffered from heat-related illnesses in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province over the three days since the heat wave advisory was issued on July 10. Authorities are on high alert due to the disaster-level heat wave that has arrived even before Chobok (the first of the three hottest days of summer).

(Video reporting: Kim Young-sang, TBC)

TBC Park Ga-young