Brutal summer heat triggers 2,356 emergency alerts, 1.4 times more than last year

Phones buzzed 1.4 times more with heat-related emergency alerts this summer compared to last year, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

Children cool off in a swimming pool set up in Gwanghwamun Plaza in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Phones buzzed 1.4 times more with heat-related emergency alerts this summer compared to last year, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

The ministry said Sunday that from June to Friday, a total of 2,356 emergency text messages were issued nationwide, up by 676 messages from 2023.

Local authorities send emergency alerts containing safety instructions and emergency procedures when heat wave advisories or warnings are under effect.

The rise in alerts is due to many areas experiencing record high temperatures this summer season, with perceived temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and causing severe damage.

As of Saturday, 2,213 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported this summer, resulting in 20 deaths, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday.

Cows stay cool with a large fan installed on the roof of a farm in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, on Sunday. [NEWS1]

The intense heat also led to the death of 562,000 livestock, including 36,000 pigs and 526,000 poultry as of Friday. More than 500,000 fish from 55 fish farms also perished.

Emergency alerts for blistering weather began to be issued in 2018 when heat waves were officially recognized as natural disasters.

In 2018, the nation saw its worst heat wave in 111 years, prompting calls to classify heat waves as natural disasters and systemically manage them.

With the designation, damage compensation became possible, including for deaths.

Initially, the number of emergency alerts was low, with only 43 issued from June to Aug. 9 in 2018, and 32 in the same period in 2019.

However, in 2019 after the authority to issue disaster alerts through text messages was expanded from metropolitan cities and provincial governments to local authorities including counties and district offices, the number of alerts gradually increased.

Last year's World Scout Jamboree held in Saemangeum, North Jeolla, which was riddled with numerous issues including heat-related problems, further heightened public awareness of the dangers of heat, resulting in a significant rise in emergency alerts to 1,680.

"Sending emergency text messages is crucial, but it is equally important that the public is well-informed and follows the guidelines provided," said a ministry official.

Much of the country is expected to endure perceived temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Tropical nights, where temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius, are also forecast nationwide due to daytime heat persisting into the evening.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]