As a relentless heat wave continues, a tropical night advisory was issued across all of Seoul today (August 1), following five reports of heat-related illnesses in the city yesterday (July 31).

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that, based on official statistics from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, five people were recorded as having suffered from heat-related illnesses in Seoul yesterday.

This brings the cumulative number of heat-related illnesses since May 15 to 158, including two deaths.

Heat wave warnings went into effect in Seoul starting at 11 a.m. on July 29, beginning with the southeastern, southwestern, and northeastern districts, and currently remain in effect across the entire city.

A tropical night advisory has also been issued across all of Seoul.

A heat wave advisory is issued when the maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) for two or more consecutive days, while a tropical night advisory is issued when the lowest nighttime temperature is expected to exceed 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) for a day or longer.

In response to the heat wave warnings, the Seoul Metropolitan Government raised its heat wave response crisis alert level from "Caution" (Stage 1) to "Alert" (Stage 2) on July 29, and is operating a heat wave situation room consisting of 365 officials across 103 teams at the city and district levels.

Additionally, protective measures are being implemented for vulnerable populations, including street homeless individuals, residents of gowon-dong (jjokbang) impoverished residential areas, elderly people living alone, people with disabilities, individuals with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers.

To combat the midday heat, the city is operating approximately 4,000 heat wave shelters, including community service centers, senior citizen centers, and welfare facilities. It is also operating and managing a total of 9,849 facilities and items of infrastructure, such as Climate Companion shelters, emergency evacuation centers, mobile worker shelters, and heat-reduction facilities.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government sent out heat wave safety text messages across the entire city at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today, urging residents to refrain from outdoor activities and to stay well-hydrated.

Choi Jin-seok, head of Seoul's Disaster and Safety Management Office, stated, "As the prolonged heat wave raises concerns over increasing damage to citizens, including heat-related illnesses, we will continue to operate the city and district situation rooms and do our utmost to manage the situation, including preventing and responding to heat wave damages."