Haenam and Wando Suffer from Scorching Heat...
"Refrain from Going Outdoors"
Residents Seek Shelter as Heatwave Advisory Remains in Effect
With the end of the monsoon season, the southern region of Jeonnam is now under an intense heatwave. In Haenam and Wando, the perceived temperature has soared well above 30 degrees Celsius, effectively bringing all outdoor activities to a halt.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 23rd, as of 2 p.m., Haenam-gun recorded a perceived temperature of 34 degrees Celsius, while Wando-gun recorded 31 degrees Celsius as of 4 p.m. Both areas are currently under a heatwave advisory.
On the 23rd, when a heatwave warning was in effect, a resident was cooling off under the shade of a large parasol by the roadside in Wando-eup, Wando-gun, Jeonnam. Photo by Lee Jungyung
Residents, exhausted by the scorching heat, are refraining from outdoor activities and seeking shelter indoors where air conditioning is available. At a franchise coffee shop in Haenam-eup, it is so crowded that it is difficult to find an empty seat even on a weekday afternoon. A store employee said, "Over the past week, sales of iced Americano have roughly doubled compared to usual," adding, "Many customers are coming to the air-conditioned indoors to escape the heat."
A 24-hour unmanned cafe in Wando-eup is also bustling with residents trying to avoid the heat late into the night. The cafe operator stated, "Normally, I turn off the air conditioner during the early morning hours due to concerns about electricity bills, but these days, seeing residents suffering from the heat, I keep it running even at dawn."
In response, local governments have stepped in to protect residents. Haenam-gun and Wando-gun have requested that people refrain from outdoor activities between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and have specifically recommended that agricultural workers take regular breaks and adjust their working hours.
An official from Haenam-gun emphasized, "Working in the fields during heatwave hours can lead to serious heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke," and added, "The use of pesticides in enclosed spaces must be strictly avoided." The heatwave poses a significant threat to the health of the elderly. Some elderly households, unable to use air conditioning due to concerns about electricity costs, are relying solely on fans, which increases the risk of heatstroke.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, residents of Wando-eup, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, are escaping the heat inside a bus stop equipped with air conditioning facilities. Photo by Lee Jungyeong
An official from Wando-gun stated, "So far, four cases of heat-related illness have occurred in the area," and urged, "When a heatwave warning is issued, please avoid outdoor activities, drink water frequently, and keep indoor temperatures at appropriate levels."
Meanwhile, Haenam-gun and Wando-gun are operating emergency task force teams in response to the heatwave advisory. In key areas, smart shades and cooling fog facilities have been installed in an effort to minimize heatwave damage.
Jeonnam Province is maintaining an emergency response system for the heatwave, and is urging residents to immediately contact 119 or the nearest health center in the event of heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses.
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