Fear of heat-related deaths rise in North Gyeongsang as temperatures surge in Korea

As grueling summer heat puts the nation on a slow boil, the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang — where 10 people died last year while working in extreme temperatures — is on high alert.

A farmer in his 60s waters his crops, including peppers and cucumbers, at a farmland in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, on July 11, when a heat wave advisory was issued in the region. [YONHAP]

As grueling summer heat puts the nation on a slow boil, the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang — where 10 people died last year while working in extreme temperatures — is on high alert.

Nationally, 25 people died last year while engaging in outdoor activities between May 20 — when heat wave measures began — and Aug. 2, 2023, according to local governments on Tuesday. North Gyeongsang accounted for the highest number of these deaths among 17 municipal governments.

Many of the deaths occurred among individuals who were working on farms and in vinyl greenhouses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), four deaths were directly attributed to heat-related illnesses. While others collapsed due to extreme heat, they left them out of the toll as authorities were unsure that their deaths were directly related to the heat.

Heat-related illnesses are acute conditions resulting from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity. The primary types are heatstroke and heat exhaustion, with symptoms including headaches, dizziness, cramps and fatigue. If not promptly treated, the disorders can be life-threatening.

On July 23, a man in his 60s from Modong-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang, complained of heat stroke symptoms such as chills after working in the fields. He died the following day after being transferred to a hospital. The KDCA recorded his passing as the first presumed heat-related death this year in North Gyeongsang.

People cross a street in Jung District, Daegu, on Monday. A heat wave warning has been issued in the area. [YONHAP]

The Ministry of Health and Welfare fears this year could set records for heat-related illnesses with an unprecedented heat wave expected.

On July 22, Earth experienced its warmest day in modern history, with an average global temperature of 17.16 degrees Celsius (63.7 degrees Fahrenheit), said the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union-funded climate monitoring organization, and confirmed by NASA.

According to the KDCA's monitoring system, 1,100 people nationwide suffered heat-related illnesses between May 20 and Tuesday.

In just six days between July 22 and Saturday, when torrential rain weakened and full-scale heat waves began, 289 cases were recorded, accounting for 26.2 percent of the total cases.

The number of heat-related illness cases has increased annually, with an average of 1,709 cases over the past four years. Of these, 16.1 percent, or 275, occurred on farms, fields and in vinyl greenhouses. More than half of these incidents, 51 percent, occurred between noon and 5 p.m.

People cross a street in Jung District, Daegu, where a heat wave warning has been in effect since July 22, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

In response to these alarming figures, local governments, including North Gyeongsang, are promoting safety measures to prevent heat-related illnesses.

"Farm workers are to halt work in the daytime from noon to five and drink water regularly, even if they aren't thirsty, to prevent heat-related illnesses," said an official from Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services (GARES).

Elderly crop workers, in particular, are advised to avoid strenuous farming activities and immediately call emergency services if anyone shows signs of heat-related illness. After filing a report, an individual should be moved to a shaded area, and cold water bottles should be placed on their neck and under their armpits to lower their body temperature.

Governments also called for proper management of farming products and livestock. Drainage systems in orchards should be checked to ensure adequate water drainage, and plants should be watered more than usual to maintain soil moisture.

Enclosed animal husbandries should reduce animal density by 10 to 20 percent, and ample clean and cool water should be provided to livestock. Power failure alarms and emergency generators are also recommended, as electricity use tends to surge during extended heat waves.

GARES Director Cho Young-sook expressed concern over potential crop damage due to the heat wave and vowed to minimize farm damage by "actively promoting strategies on how to manage farm work, crops and livestock during high temperatures" and "forming on-site technical support teams."

The government also held an emergency meeting on Wednesday headed by Lee Han-kyung, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's chief disaster management official, to examine heat wave preparedness.

As of noon Wednesday, heat wave alerts are in effect for much of the country. Some areas, including parts of Gyeonggi, South Gyeongsang and Jeju Island, have been under advisories for over a week.

BY KIM JUNG-SEOK, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]