As an era of extreme heat with temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) arrives, workers in the agriculture and livestock industries in North Gyeongsang Province are engaged in a desperate battle against the heat.

Although they head to their workplaces before dawn to avoid the sweltering heat, temperatures already exceed 30°C (86°F) by the morning, raising concerns about heat-related illnesses.

In the Hayang-eup area of Gyeongsan, daytime temperatures soared to 39.9°C (104°F) on July 11, and the following day, a severe heat wave warning was briefly issued for the area along with Pohang.

At a small vegetable garden in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, around 11:00 a.m. yesterday (July 13), farmer Jeong (in his 60s) was repeatedly spraying water onto a plot planted with green onion seedlings while holding a hose connected to a faucet, with daytime temperatures already exceeding 34°C (93°F).

Although Jeong wore a straw hat and a towel around his neck, his shirt was already soaked with sweat.

Nearby, his wife was busy transplanting green onion seedlings.

The two were exposed to the scorching sun in a field with no shade, yet they did not slow down their work.

"I have never experienced heat like this," Jeong said. "Since I cannot stop working in the fields, I have no choice but to go home and rest from time to time."

He explained, "To avoid the midday heat, I come out at 5:00 a.m., work until 10:00 or 11:00 a.m., and then take a break. I return to the field after 4:00 p.m. when the temperature drops slightly," expressing his astonishment at the recent heat.

If the field ridges in the heat wave are like a hot plate, the greenhouses are reminiscent of a "wet sauna."

At a vinyl greenhouse for grape cultivation in Nambang-dong, Gyeongsan, workers were in the middle of pruning.

The interior of the greenhouse was filled with heavy humidity and intense heat, making it difficult to even breathe properly.

Even with spaces opened here and there for air circulation, it was insufficient to lower the temperature.

Like Jeong, the workers started their day at dawn and finished at 11:00 a.m., but they were equally exhausted by the sweltering heat.

Le Vinh Tuan (25), a foreign worker from Vietnam, said, "I have grown up experiencing heat since I was young in Vietnam, but the recent heat in Korea is incredibly hot. It is difficult, but I am working hard thinking of my family back home."

Workers at livestock farms raising cattle and chickens appeared anxious that their livestock might die due to the heat.

At a livestock farm in Gyeongsan, large fans running non-stop to cool the internal heat drew attention.

The entrance was strictly controlled due to recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza (AI).

The owner of a poultry farm lamented, "I am raising about 7,000 chickens, but about 100 died due to the heat wave the day before yesterday (July 11)."

He explained, "I am responding to the heat by pumping cold groundwater around the poultry farm all day, spraying it, and running large fans."

About 20 dairy cows in a nearby barn appeared to be sitting in the shade, limp, as if waiting for the heat to pass.

Large fans installed on the ceiling were running continuously here as well, but it seemed insufficient to cool the hot air that arrived with the extreme heat.

Those working outdoors to install peach farms were fighting a war against the blazing sun.

Farmers tried to overcome the sun by covering their entire bodies with hats and arm sleeves.

They struggled to lower their body temperature by putting ice packs in their vest pockets.

Peach farm owner Bae (62) said, "I am a bit late today, but it is so hot that I am just going to do a little bit and leave," adding, "It seems I will have to finish my work before 9:00 a.m. from now on."

In a plowed field in Jinryang-eup, Gyeongsan, an elderly person was alone, pulling out remaining green onions under the blazing sun.

With concerns about heat-related illnesses growing, careful on-site management by relevant authorities seems necessary.

Despite the reporters' attempts to stop them, the elderly person said, "My body aches more if I stay at home," adding, "I will stay a little longer before I go."

According to the Daegu Regional Meteorological Administration, as of 1:00 p.m. that day, the daily high temperatures by region in North Gyeongsang Province were 37.1°C (99°F) in Yeongdeok, 36.3°C (97°F) in Gyeongju and Pohang (Gigye), 36.1°C (97°F) in Gyeongsan (Hayang), 35.4°C (96°F) in Uljin (Sogok), 35.1°C (95°F) in Yeongcheon (Sinnyeong), and 35°C (95°F) in Gimcheon.

The daily high temperature in Sinam-dong, Daegu, soared to 36.3°C (97°F).

As the daily high temperature is forecast to reach 37°C (99°F) that day, temperatures are expected to rise gradually in the afternoon.

A heat wave warning is in effect for most areas of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.

Heat wave advisories have been issued for the remaining areas, including Mungyeong, Yeongju, northwestern Andong, the plains of Yeongyang, the plains of Uljin, and Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

With heat waves continuing for days, concerns about the occurrence of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion have also increased.

Heat waves not only directly cause heat-related illnesses but can also exacerbate existing conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney diseases.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency emphasizes that during heat waves, one should stop outdoor activities if possible, and even if outside, move to a cool and shaded place.

It also added that one should sufficiently replenish body fluids by drinking water regularly, regardless of whether one feels thirsty or not.

(Photo: Yonhap News)