On the 2nd, when the daytime high in the Yangsan, Gyeongnam area reached 42.5 degrees Celsius, citizens are playing in the water at the fountain in Yangsan Water Park, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si. [Yonhap News]

As the heatwave continues with record-breaking high temperatures being set daily—the highest in the 122-year history of domestic meteorological observation—the number of heat-related illness patients visiting approximately 500 emergency rooms nationwide increased to 96 on the previous day.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 2nd, 96 heat-related illness patients were recorded on the previous day.

The number of heat-related illness patients visiting emergency rooms remained in the 20s until the 21st of last month, but it gradually increased thereafter; from the 25th, more than 70 cases were reported daily, nearly reaching 100 on the previous day.

Consequently, the total number of heat-related illness patients reported to the emergency room surveillance system this year has risen to 1,889 from May 15th to the previous day.

The cumulative number of deaths remains at 14, with no additional deaths reported the previous day.

Livestock damage tallies were not conducted due to the holiday.

As of the previous tally, the cumulative number of livestock deaths stood at 432,450. Damage to aquaculture organisms was recorded at 165,196.

The government forecasts that intense heatwaves and tropical nights will continue for the time being, with the highest perceived temperature reaching 35 degrees Celsius or higher in most parts of the country, and exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, particularly in the Gyeongsang and Jeonnam regions.

As of 4 p.m. on this day, heatwave advisories were in effect for 228 zones nationwide.

Heavy heatwave warnings are in effect for 24 zones, including 5 in Jeonnam, 2 in Daegu, 2 in Gyeongbuk, and 15 in Gyeongnam, while heatwave warnings are in effect for 154 zones and heatwave advisories for 50 zones.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety upgraded the heatwave disaster headquarters to Level 2 as of 1 p.m. on this day, strengthening the pan-governmental response.

Level 2 of the heatwave disaster headquarters is activated when it is expected that the highest perceived temperature will remain at 35 degrees Celsius or higher in more than 60% of the national terrestrial local forecast zones for three or more days, or when the daily highest perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher is expected to persist for three or more days in 40% to 60% of the zones.

The activation of Level 2 for the heatwave disaster headquarters is the first in three years since August 2023, and the second time in history since heatwaves were classified as natural disasters in 2018.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has requested relevant ministries and local governments to thoroughly implement safety management for vulnerable groups, monitor outdoor workplaces, and execute measures to minimize damage to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.