An 80-something resident died of heatstroke in Hadong as the highest-level "serious heatwave alert" gripped nine areas of South Gyeongsang Province. With this death, the province's estimated heat-related fatalities this year rose to three, the most of any region in the country.
According to South Gyeongsang Province and fire authorities on the 27th, a woman in her 80s identified as A was found unconscious around 7 a.m. the previous day at a house in Cheongam-myeon, Hadong-gun. A neighbor, noticing the front door was closed contrary to normal, broke a window and entered to find A collapsed beside her bed, then reported it to the 119 emergency line.
A received first aid and was transported to Gyeongsang National University Hospital in Jinju for treatment, but died at around 2:26 a.m. that day. The hospital's presumed cause of death was heatstroke. A was known to have suffered from underlying conditions including dementia, high blood pressure, and myocardial infarction. At the time, the Hadong area was under a heatwave warning, with the maximum perceived temperature soaring to 35.7 degrees.
Earlier, a woman in her 90s working in a field in Goseong-gun died on the 22nd, followed by a man in his 90s working in a rice paddy in Sacheon on the 25th. This brings the province's estimated heat-related deaths this year to three, the highest among the nation's eight fatalities. The cumulative number of heat-related illness cases in the province has reached 122 since May 15.
Heatwave alerts are also reaching their highest level. After the serious heatwave alert took effect for the first time in the province in Yangsan and Uiryeong on the 25th, it had expanded to nine areas as of the 27th: Gimhae, Miryang, Yangsan, Uiryeong, Jinju, Changnyeong, Changwon, Haman, and Hapcheon (central area). The serious heatwave alert is the highest-level warning newly established for the first time in 18 years since the heatwave advisory system was introduced in 2008. It is issued when life-threatening extreme heat is expected, with a maximum perceived temperature of 38 degrees or higher or a maximum temperature of 39 degrees or higher.
As of 4 p.m. that day, maximum temperatures recorded 38.5 degrees in Miryang and 38.0 degrees each in Yangsan and Uiryeong. Livestock damage is also mounting due to the prolonged heatwave. As of 9 a.m. that day, dead livestock totaled 12,121 animals, including 3,291 pigs and 8,830 chickens.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that the extreme heat, with maximum perceived temperatures rising above 33 degrees, would continue for the time being. "To prevent heat-related illness, please refrain from outdoor activities during the midday hours and take particular care of your health by drinking plenty of fluids," a Korea Meteorological Administration official said.
South Gyeongsang Province is maintaining the "serious" level, the highest stage of heatwave crisis alert, and has activated Level 1 emergency operations of its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to strengthen on-site response capabilities. It is also reinforcing its cooperation system with related agencies to minimize damage from heat and drought. On the 28th, it plans to hold a "Heatwave and Drought Emergency Countermeasures Meeting" bringing together heads of cities and counties with serious heat and drought concerns, along with related agencies including the Korea Meteorological Administration, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Korea Rural Community Corporation, to examine measures to prevent heat damage and supply water for daily life and agriculture from various angles.
"Heatwaves and drought are a compound disaster threatening the lives and daily routines of residents and the foundation of the agricultural and livestock industries," South Gyeongsang Governor Park Wan-su said. "Mobilize all capabilities for field-centered, preemptive responses, including timely supply of agricultural water, measures to prevent livestock damage, and protection of vulnerable groups."
