Kathmandu— At least 16 people have lost their lives in South Korea due to a record-breaking heatwave that has swept across the country since May. President Lee Jae Myung has called for urgent measures to address the growing frequency of such extreme weather events, urging officials to inspect power systems and enhance crisis management.

Heatwave Claims Lives

The interior ministry reported that a total of 2,025 people have suffered from heat-related illnesses between May 15 and August 2. President Lee emphasized the need for a fundamental overhaul of the national crisis system during a cabinet meeting, stating, "This extreme weather is becoming normal." He urged officials to accelerate measures to protect citizens' daily lives and inspect power systems as demand for air conditioning surges.

Yangsan, an island city in South Korea's southeastern region, recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the highest measured in 122 years of observations according to the national weather agency.

Extended Heatwave Warnings

Authorities issued their first-ever heatwave warning for parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi on Monday, which was later extended to cover the entire capital city. This marks the first such advisory since the designation was introduced this year to alert the public about extreme temperatures.

Temperatures in Seoul hit 38 degrees Celsius at midday and were expected to drop only to around 29 degrees overnight. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and utilize designated cooling centers across the city.

As South Korea continues to face unprecedented heatwaves, scientists warn that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.