Central Divider Becomes 'Floppy' in Heatwave... Seoul 35°C, Daegu 36°C Scorching Heat

Polyurethane Material Bottom Part Melted and Warped by Heat
Separation Stand Also Melted in Daegu Where Temperature Exceeded 37 Degrees Last Year

As a heatwave with temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius sweeps across the country, a road divider warped and toppled due to the heat has been captured. Road dividers are originally made from heat-resistant materials, but when exposed to asphalt heated by summer heatwaves for several years, the lower part can eventually melt.

According to 'Yonhap News' on the 18th around 3 p.m., a central road divider installed at Baekja-ro Sadong Catholic Church Intersection in Sadong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, tilted about 20 meters to the side.

In response, Gyeongsan City Hall stated, "It appears that the central divider collapsed due to the heatwave," adding, "It was originally an aged divider and one of the targets for replacement." The toppled divider was later removed by the city, and no particular accidents were reported.

Melted road divider in Gyeongsan City [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport guidelines, central dividers are made of polyurethane material to withstand the impact of traffic accidents. While polyurethane structures are relatively heat-resistant, the lower part can melt due to the heat radiating from asphalt heated by intense sunlight. This is especially true for aged structures like this divider.

This is not the first time a central divider has toppled due to a heatwave. In August last year, a central road divider in Daegu also collapsed, drawing attention. At that time, it was determined that the heat from the asphalt was transmitted to the lower part of the divider, causing it to melt.

Netizens who saw the photos reacted with comments such as "As expected, it's Daepurika (Daegu + Africa)," "The heat is truly deadly," and "They say it will get even hotter, but I can't imagine it." The highest daytime temperature in Daegu at that time was 37.5 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, on the 19th, a heatwave with temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius is expected nationwide. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted, "Daytime temperatures in most regions nationwide will rise to around 35 degrees Celsius (mainly inland areas around 35 degrees Celsius)."

The perceived temperature will be above 31 degrees Celsius in most regions nationwide, and a heatwave advisory will be issued for the Seoul metropolitan area. Regions where the daytime high temperature is expected to reach 35 degrees include Seoul, Cheongju, Daejeon, Jeonju, Gwangju, and Daegu.