![\"\u2018Stop](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132820620,imgsize-39116,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/representative-image.jpg\" "\\"Pedestrians")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSouth Korea recorded its highest temperature since modern weather observations began in 1904 as the south-eastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5\u00b0C on Sunday afternoon, prompting emergency alerts and warnings for people in affected areas to stop outdoor activities and move to cooler places.The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Yangsan, the centre of the ongoing heatwave, recorded temperatures above 40\u00b0C for a fifth consecutive day on Sunday, The Guardian reported. Temperatures also climbed into the high 30s in several cities, including Daegu and Busan.<\/p>\n More than 20 localities were under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday. The warning category was introduced this year to better address rising temperatures.An emergency alert is issued when an area experiencing a heatwave is forecast to reach a perceived temperature of 38\u00b0C or an actual temperature of 39\u00b0C during the day.The weather agency urged people to \u201cimmediately stop all outdoor activities\u201d, warning that \u201cindoor spaces without air conditioning are dangerous\u201d.\u201cMove immediately to a cool place, such as a designated cooling centre or a shaded area, and stay hydrated while resting,\u201d it advised.Prime minister Han Seong-sook ordered local officials to strengthen safety checks on people most vulnerable to the heat and ensure stable power and water supplies.<\/p>\n People gathered in airconditioned shopping malls and cafes or sought relief at mist-spray zones in Seoul.Ju Dong-yeol, 27, took refuge from the heat with his parents at a Starbucks in the South Korean capital. \u201cIt is too hot to be outside doing anything,\u201d he told AFP.\u201cI can\u2019t think of anything else to do other than stay in airconditioned places like home, shopping malls and cafes,\u201d the office worker said.Gyeongju, about 240km south-east of Seoul, reached 40.3\u00b0C on Sunday, its highest recorded temperature in eight years.North Korea was also experiencing intense heat, with temperatures reaching 40\u00b0C in some regions, state media reported on Monday. Pyongyang had endured a week of nights when the temperature did not fall below 25\u00b0C.The heat forced South Korea\u2019s professional baseball league to cancel a game in Changwon after the city\u2019s temperature climbed to 39.5\u00b0C. It was the second consecutive game to be cancelled in the city.\u201cThe decision was made with the safety and health of spectators and players as the top priority, as a severe heatwave warning remains in effect for the Changwon area,\u201d the Korea Baseball Organization said in a statement.KMA data show that the country\u2019s average annual number of heatwave days has more than doubled to 19 in the past five years. A heatwave day is defined as one with a maximum temperature of at least 33\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Easterly winds were expected to push the extreme heat further inland on Monday, with Seoul forecast to reach 37\u00b0C. Temperatures in South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang were expected to exceed 39\u00b0C, bringing life-threatening heat, the KMA said.Officials were also monitoring Typhoon Dolphin, which was tracking towards China\u2019s south-east coastal regions, south of the Korean peninsula. Its path could determine how long the stifling heat persists.A move towards eastern China could increase humidity and worsen the heatwave and tropical nights in Korea. A path closer to the south of the Korean peninsula could bring stronger winds, greater cloud cover and rain, temporarily easing the heat.<\/p>\n Scientists warn that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change. Adding to the extreme weather is the return this year of El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and typically occurs every two to seven years.<\/div>\nHow severe is the heatwave?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
People seek relief as heat disrupts daily life<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Will the extreme heat ease?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
What is driving the extreme weather?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n