South Korean authorities are using drones to warn farmers about dangerous heat, while residents seek refuge in airports as the country faces an unprecedented heatwave.
President Lee Jae Myung has directed government agencies to use every available resource to respond to the extreme temperatures, describing the South Korea heatwave as a “national disaster”.
Temperatures in southern South Korea reached a record 42.5C (108.5F) earlier this week, intensifying concerns about public health and safety.
Authorities say at least 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea this year. Nearly 2,500 people have also visited emergency departments with heat-related conditions since mid-May.
“Heatwave conditions once seen only in foreign news reports have now become our reality,” President Lee said on Thursday.
In response to the extreme heat, some local governments have sent trucks to parks, markets and bus stops to hand out chilled bottled water free of charge.
In the southern city of Yangsan, where temperatures climbed to a record 42.5C on Sunday, fleets of sprinkler trucks have been travelling through the streets and spraying water on heat-baked roads.
Authorities in rural regions, including North Gyeongsang province, are also using drones equipped with loudspeakers and thermal imaging cameras to protect farmers, many of whom are elderly.
The drones fly over fields and broadcast warnings such as, “It’s hot, you need to go inside,” reminding farmers to take regular breaks, seek shade and cool down.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk