Seoul Issues Highest-Level Heatwave Warning as Deaths and Damage Mount

Seoul has issued its highest-level heatwave warning as the number of casualties and agricultural damage mounts across South Korea. The Korea Meteorological Administration on Tuesday expanded the serious heatwave warning, the highest level, to the northeastern and northwestern parts of Seoul. The warning is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius or higher, or when the actual daily maximum temperature is forecast to hit 39 degrees Celsius or above. The entire capital city is now under an extreme heatwave warning. The prolonged heat has led to a sharp increase in heat-related illnesses, with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reporting that 108 people were treated in emergency rooms nationwide on Sunday alone. Since the agency began its monitoring system on 15 May, the cumulative number of heat-related patients has reached 2,025, with 16 fatalities recorded so far. The agricultural sector has also suffered significant losses, with 432,450 livestock, including 28,194 pigs and 404,256 poultry, reported dead across the country as of Sunday. Additionally, rising water temperatures along the western and southern coasts have caused mass fish deaths, with 165,196 fish perishing.