First 'Serious Heat Wave Warning' Ever Issued for Pohang, Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang Province

For the first time since the heat wave advisory system was introduced 18 years ago, the highest-level 'Serious Heat Wave Warning' was issued on the 12th for Pohang and Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang Province. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the warning at 11 a.m. that day, forecasting a perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or a high of 39 degrees Celsius or higher in the regions. The KMA stated that this serious heat wave warning is concentrated in the southeastern part of North Gyeongsang Province due to the influence of the Tibetan High and the North Pacific High. KMA Administrator Lim Mi-seon urged the public to practice the 'Three-Stage Action Guidelines for Survival,' such as suspending outdoor activities.

In response to the serious heat wave warning, Pohang City issued Disaster Level 2 and ordered relevant departments to be on emergency standby. In rural areas, villagers were urged via loudspeaker to refrain from unnecessary outings and to stay out of the fields, and water was sprayed on roads using large water tankers.

At around 4 p.m. on the same day, road buckling occurred on the coastal road in Yonghan-li, Buk-gu, Pohang, resulting in a full closure of both directions of the six-lane road. High-voltage power lines are buried 1.5 meters underground the road, but no damage was reported.