[UPDATES} Heat-related deaths surge to record high in South Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : August 17, 2016, 10:45 Updated : August 17, 2016, 13:30
 

[Photo by Yoo Dae-gtil]


The number of deaths caused by a sizzling heat hit a record high this year as South Korea has been hit by a sizzling and sometimes lethal heat wave for weeks, health authorities said Wednesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 16 people have died of heart stroke and other heat-related diseases between May 23 and August 15, compared to 11 last year. It was the highest figure since the state agency began compiling data in 2011.

The total number of patients suffering from heat-related diseases also surged to a record high of 1,800 so far this year from 1,056 last year, the agency said. Some 80 percent fell ill while staying or working outside while the rest got sick at their homes due to protracted tropical nights.

Weathermen said temperatures have reached their highest point in over a century with the average daytime temperature in the first two weeks of August topping 29.7 degrees Celsius (85.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Seoul. Temperatures have stayed above 25 degrees Celsius overnight.

Agriculture ministry data released on Wednesday showed the deadly heat wave killed some 3.49 million chickens, ducks, pigs and other farm animals for a month from July 15 to August 16,  up 38 percent from a year earlier.

Animal farms have reported property damage estimated at about 11 billion won (10 million US dollars) with chicken farms hit hardest, the agriculture ministry said, predicting there would be more damage in the coming weeks.

Fish farms have also reported massive damage from the rising sea temperature which topped 30 degrees Celsius in some areas while flocks of wild birds have been found dead.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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