Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) has been in operation for 46 consecutive days as of September 8, marking the longest run since heatwaves were classified as disasters in 2019.
The CDSCHQ was activated on July 25 when the government raised the heatwave alert to “Severe.” The previous longest activation lasted 29 days in 2023, but this year’s record is still ongoing as the alert has not yet been lifted.
The headquarters is mobilized when more than 40% of forecasted land areas are expected to experience heat indexes above 35°C for three consecutive days.
This summer, Korea recorded 29.5 official heatwave days—4.8 days more than last year. Between May 15 and September 6, 4,370 people suffered heat-related illnesses and 29 deaths were reported, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Officials urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities during the day and stay hydrated, especially as heatwave warnings remain in effect in some southern regions.
ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM 
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