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| A woman shields herself from the sun with a mat while walking in the Olympic Park in Seoul, Monday. This year's first heat wave advisory was issued for southeastern parts of the nation on the same day. / Yonhap |
By Kim Rahn
The weather agency issued this year's first heat wave advisory for people in Daegu, Miryang and other cities in southeastern parts of the country Monday.
A heat wave advisory is issued when midday highs of 33 degrees or higher are expected for at least two consecutive days.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said the temperatures in Daegu, Miryang, Yeongcheon and Gyeongju soared due to high atmospheric pressure in the region.
The warning was issued six days earlier than last year's first heat wave advisory.
Daegu's temperature rose to 33 degrees, Monday, and is expected to hit 34 degrees, Tuesday.
Other parts of the country also had clear skies and hot weather, with Seoul's midday high rising to 29 degrees. Such weather is likely to continue for several days, but rain is forecast in southern parts of the peninsula, Sunday.
"Clear skies have continued for days, and warm wind from the southwest has come, pushing up the mercury nationwide," a weatherman said. "More heat wave advisories may be issued in some parts of Gangwon and South Jeolla provinces, Tuesday."
Some regions in North Gyeongsang and Gangwon provinces had dry weather alerts, which are issued when a humidity level of 25 percent or lower is expected for at least two days.
To prevent hot-weather ailments such as heatstroke, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security has presented a set of measures for those vulnerable to extremely warm weather. Staffers at welfare service institutions will call or visit the elderly who live alone in shabby houses without air conditioners to check their health condition, while elderly farmers will be encouraged to avoid farming in the heat of the day.
The ministry also designated some 39,000 community halls with air conditioning systems as heat shelters where people can go for relief from the heat.
