[Anchor]

The scorching heat wave blanketing the Korean Peninsula is relentless. In Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, daily high temperatures exceeded 40°C (104°F) for two consecutive days for the first time since meteorological observations began.

Reporter Kim su-yun covers the situation in the Yeongnam region, where this record-breaking heat wave continues.

[Reporter]

Downtown Haeundae, Busan, during the day today (July 30).

People use parasols to shield themselves from the blazing sun and try to cool 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 is my first time experiencing heat like this. There has never been a year as hot as this one.]

Asphalt roads fail to cool down even at night, constantly radiating heat during the middle of the day.

Record-breaking heat waves approaching 40°C (104°F) continued for the second consecutive day, following yesterday, centering around Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do.

With severe heat wave warnings issued for seven regions in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, today's daytime highs reached 38.3°C (101°F) in Busan, 40.3°C (104.5°F) in Yangsan, and 39°C (102.2°F) in Gimhae.

In Yangsan, temperatures also surpassed 40°C (104°F) yesterday, marking the first time since meteorological observation records began that temperatures have exceeded 40°C for two days in a row at a Korea Meteorological Administration climate observation post.

The lack of rainfall is cited as a major cause of the heat wave blanketing the southern region.

Since May 29, precipitation in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do has reached 161.9 mm, remaining at just 33.9 percent 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 level where drought must be feared.

As there has been almost no rain throughout this month, the bottoms of various downtown streams are becoming exposed, and algae blooms are appearing in places.

The Korea Meteorological Administration expects the heat waves of around 40°C (104°F) and tropical nights to continue in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do for the time being.

(Photo courtesy of Jeong Kyeong-mun | Video by Park Na-young | Graphics by Seo Seung-hyun)