- Yangsan reached 42.5C on Sunday afternoon, marking the highest temperature since modern weather observation began in 1904.
- Over 20 localities in South Korea were under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday, a new warning category introduced this year.
- The prime minister ordered local officials to strengthen safety checks and ensure stable power and water supplies.
- Easterly winds are expected to push extreme heat further inland on Monday, with Seoul forecast to reach 37C.
- Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, plunging the island into darkness.
- The ongoing heatwave in South Korea has seen temperatures exceed 40C for a fifth consecutive day, affecting cities like Daegu and Busan.
- An emergency alert is issued when areas forecast to hit perceived temperatures of 38C or an actual temperature of 39C for the day.
- The power crisis in Cuba coincides with a cautious opening of the country's tightly controlled energy sector due to fuel shortages and severe U.S. sanctions.
South Korea is grappling with unprecedented heat, as temperatures in Yangsan reached a staggering 42.5C, the highest since records began in 1904.1
Authorities have issued emergency heatwave alerts, urging residents to immediately stop all outdoor activities and seek air-conditioned spaces.2
More than 20 localities are under these alerts, with the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warning that temperatures could exceed 39C in several regions.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has ordered local officials to enhance safety checks for vulnerable populations and ensure stable power and water supplies.3
The KMA noted that the average annual number of heatwave days has more than doubled to 19 in the past five years, highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, the electricity grid collapsed, plunging about 10 million people into darkness. This outage follows a series of blackouts exacerbated by a U.S.-imposed oil blockade that has strained the island's aging energy infrastructure.5
The Union Electrica de Cuba reported no further details, but the crisis coincides with a cautious opening of Cuba's energy sector amid severe fuel shortages.8
Pressure on the power system has mounted as Cuba struggles to secure fuel imports, following the loss of a key source after U.S. sanctions were imposed.
“Yangsan hit 42.5C on Sunday, topping 40C for a fifth day, while more than 20 localities faced a newly introduced emergency heatwave alert category. The prime minister ordered stronger safety checks on vulnerable residents, and Typhoon Dolphin could prolong the stifling conditions.”
The Guardian
