As extreme heat continues across the country, there are growing concerns about the impact on agriculture, with reports of fatalities among farmers and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of livestock. The government has raised its response level as prolonged heat and lack of rainfall are expected to persist.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, heat advisories were issued for most regions on this day. The highest temperatures reached 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in Gwangyang, 39.6 degrees Celsius (103.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in Miryang, 39.0 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Daegu, and 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Uiryeong. A major heat warning was also issued for parts of southeastern and southwestern Seoul, as well as Osan, Anseong, and western Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. This marks the first time a major heat warning has been issued for the capital region since the system was introduced.
A major heat warning is issued when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two consecutive days, with expectations of a daily maximum perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or a daily maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least one day. This indicates extreme heat levels that pose a threat to both vulnerable populations and healthy individuals.
On August 2, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety elevated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to Level 2. This is the first activation of Level 2 since August 2023 and the second time since heat waves were classified as natural disasters in 2018. Level 2 is activated when temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in over 60% of the national land forecast areas for three consecutive days, or when temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in 40% to less than 60% of those areas.
The most concerning issue in agriculture is the risk of fatalities among farmers. On August 2, a man in his 60s was found dead in a ditch while working in a rice field in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. An 80-year-old man working in a field in the same city also collapsed and was taken to the hospital but later died. Additionally, a man in his 70s working in a home garden in Busan and an 80-year-old man working in a greenhouse in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, also lost their lives. Authorities suspect these individuals died from heat-related illnesses while working in the extreme heat.
Farmers, who are often older and work outdoors, are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among the 4,460 heat-related illness cases reported last year, 685, or 15.4%, were in the agricultural sector. Of the 29 estimated heat-related deaths, 7, or 24.1%, were in agriculture. Over the past three years, the agricultural sector has consistently accounted for more than 15% of all heat-related illness cases.
Concerns are also rising over livestock deaths and crop damage. As of August 1, the Central Disaster Headquarters reported that 43,450 livestock had died due to the heat, including 28,194 pigs and 404,256 poultry. Apples and peaches exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods may suffer from sunburn damage, which can affect their marketability and limit their shipment.
The prolonged heat, combined with insufficient rainfall, raises concerns about a shortage of agricultural water. As of today, the average water levels in reservoirs managed by the Korea Rural Community Corporation in Gwangju and Gyeongnam are 47.7% and 40.4%, respectively, which is 28% and 45% lower than the same time last year. The water levels in major local reservoirs, such as Najuho and Junam Reservoir, are also down 17% and 47%, respectively, compared to a year ago.
If the drought continues, it could adversely affect the yields of key local crops. The Gwangju region is the largest rice-producing area in the country, while Gyeongnam has a high production share of facility vegetables like strawberries and peppers.
In response to the severe drought in Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has decided to allocate 2.1 billion won in emergency funding. This funding will be used for river excavation, installation of pumping facilities, and mobilization of water trucks to secure agricultural water in the short term. Additionally, to prevent fatalities among farmers, authorities are urging them to refrain from outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on days when heat advisories are in effect.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, heat advisories were issued for most regions on this day. The highest temperatures reached 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in Gwangyang, 39.6 degrees Celsius (103.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in Miryang, 39.0 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Daegu, and 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Uiryeong. A major heat warning was also issued for parts of southeastern and southwestern Seoul, as well as Osan, Anseong, and western Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. This marks the first time a major heat warning has been issued for the capital region since the system was introduced.
A major heat warning is issued when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two consecutive days, with expectations of a daily maximum perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or a daily maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least one day. This indicates extreme heat levels that pose a threat to both vulnerable populations and healthy individuals.
On August 2, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety elevated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to Level 2. This is the first activation of Level 2 since August 2023 and the second time since heat waves were classified as natural disasters in 2018. Level 2 is activated when temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in over 60% of the national land forecast areas for three consecutive days, or when temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher are expected in 40% to less than 60% of those areas.
The most concerning issue in agriculture is the risk of fatalities among farmers. On August 2, a man in his 60s was found dead in a ditch while working in a rice field in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. An 80-year-old man working in a field in the same city also collapsed and was taken to the hospital but later died. Additionally, a man in his 70s working in a home garden in Busan and an 80-year-old man working in a greenhouse in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, also lost their lives. Authorities suspect these individuals died from heat-related illnesses while working in the extreme heat.
Farmers, who are often older and work outdoors, are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among the 4,460 heat-related illness cases reported last year, 685, or 15.4%, were in the agricultural sector. Of the 29 estimated heat-related deaths, 7, or 24.1%, were in agriculture. Over the past three years, the agricultural sector has consistently accounted for more than 15% of all heat-related illness cases.
Concerns are also rising over livestock deaths and crop damage. As of August 1, the Central Disaster Headquarters reported that 43,450 livestock had died due to the heat, including 28,194 pigs and 404,256 poultry. Apples and peaches exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods may suffer from sunburn damage, which can affect their marketability and limit their shipment.
The prolonged heat, combined with insufficient rainfall, raises concerns about a shortage of agricultural water. As of today, the average water levels in reservoirs managed by the Korea Rural Community Corporation in Gwangju and Gyeongnam are 47.7% and 40.4%, respectively, which is 28% and 45% lower than the same time last year. The water levels in major local reservoirs, such as Najuho and Junam Reservoir, are also down 17% and 47%, respectively, compared to a year ago.
If the drought continues, it could adversely affect the yields of key local crops. The Gwangju region is the largest rice-producing area in the country, while Gyeongnam has a high production share of facility vegetables like strawberries and peppers.
In response to the severe drought in Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has decided to allocate 2.1 billion won in emergency funding. This funding will be used for river excavation, installation of pumping facilities, and mobilization of water trucks to secure agricultural water in the short term. Additionally, to prevent fatalities among farmers, authorities are urging them to refrain from outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on days when heat advisories are in effect.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.