'Heat Illness' Already 1,979 Cases... Government Raises Heatwave Alert to 'Severe'

[Financial News]  


The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (Minister Yoon Ho-jung) announced that due to the heatwave warnings issued in most regions nationwide, the heatwave crisis alert level has been raised to 'Severe', and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Level 1 will be activated as of 2 PM on the 25th.
The severe heatwave level is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35°C for more than three days in 40% of the country.
As of 10 AM on this day, heatwave warnings have been issued in 180 out of 183 special warning areas (98%), and as of the 24th, the previous day, there have been 1,979 cases of heat illness, including 10 deaths.
The head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung) ordered all government departments and local governments to make an all-out effort to minimize damage from the heatwave.
To protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly, farmers, and residents of single-room accommodations, safety checks and protective measures will be strengthened through monitoring activities, and management and supervision will be enhanced to ensure that guidelines to prevent heat illness are well observed at construction sites and events with large crowds.
It was requested to actively operate heatwave shelters and cooling facilities, to be cautious of fires due to increased use of air conditioners, and to thoroughly manage power supply, and to actively promote heatwave action guidelines for the public, including how to deal with heat illness.
Yoon Ho-jung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, emphasized, "The government will make every effort to protect the public in preparation for the heatwave and will focus on managing vulnerable facilities."


ktitk@fnnews.com Kim Tae-kyung Reporter