South Korea recorded its highest temperature since weather records began more than a century ago, the country’s state weather agency said on Sunday.
The temperature in Yangsan, a city in southeastern South Korea, reached 42.5 degrees Celsius at 1:26 p.m. local time, or 9:26 a.m. Pakistan time, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Yangsan has become the centre of the country’s ongoing heatwave. Temperatures in the city crossed 40°C for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday.
Meanwhile, authorities placed much of South Korea under heat warnings. Several cities reported temperatures in the upper 30s.
More Than 20 Areas Face Emergency Heat Alerts
More than 20 localities remained under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday.
South Korea introduced the new warning category this year to improve its response to rising temperatures.
Authorities issue an emergency alert when an area facing a heatwave is expected to record a perceived temperature of 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C for at least one day.
Heatwave Days More Than Double
Korea Meteorological Administration data shows that the average number of heatwave days has more than doubled over the past five years.
South Korea now records an annual average of 19 heatwave days, compared with eight during the 1970s.
The weather agency defines a heatwave day as one when the maximum temperature reaches at least 33°C.
It defines a tropical night as one when the overnight temperature does not fall below 25°C.
Scientists have warned that human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events, including heatwaves, more frequent and intense.
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