As record heatwave hits Asia, fears of energy crisis and health risks mount
Chae Young-sun, a 69-year-old retired government employee living in the South Korean city of Gwangju, has stopped taking daily walks since a searing heatwave began gripping most parts of the country more than a month ago. “I’m worried about my health because it’s simply too hot to go for a walk,” he said. “Yesterday afternoon, I finally summoned the courage to take a short walk around my…
Record-breaking heatwave has engulfed Asia, sparking concerns about an impending energy crisis and mounting health risks. South Korea, Japan, and other parts of the continent have been hit hard, with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reporting over 2,200 heat-related illnesses and 19 fatalities so far this year. The scorching temperatures reached a peak of 41.4 degrees Celsius in Yangsan, South Korea on July 31, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
The extreme weather has taken a toll on vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. In Japan, over 18,000 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke from July 20 to July 26, and at least 14 people died. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged the public, particularly older residents, to take precautions against the heat. In South Korea, a 69-year-old man stopped taking daily walks due to the unbearable heat and even had to seek refuge in an air-conditioned pharmacy after a brief walk.
He is not alone in his caution, as many have adjusted their lifestyles to cope with the oppressive heat.
Climate scientists attribute the extreme heat to a combination of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon, exacerbated by rising energy prices due to geopolitical conflicts. Urban heat islands, built-up city areas that experience higher temperatures than rural regions, have also contributed to the record-breaking heat.
The World Meteorological Organization predicts that El Nino conditions will continue to intensify and dominate climate patterns until October, increasing the likelihood of above-normal temperatures globally.
The relentless heat is particularly challenging for people over 65, who account for a significant proportion of heat-related patients. The crisis is becoming more severe in Asia as the demand for cooling devices rises alongside unstable power supplies and energy price shocks. Cooling-related power generation is becoming less affordable for middle- and lower-income households, and frequent power outages can disrupt cooling, potentially damaging electrical appliances.
Oil prices have fluctuated in recent sessions, with a slight drop in benchmark Brent crude futures. However, the sustained risks to gas supply from the Middle East remain a concern, with recent attacks on LNG carriers and export terminals. Rising temperatures have also raised concerns about the mounting pressure on power infrastructure in Asia, as high temperatures can reduce power plant efficiency, constrain hydropower and cooling water, and damage infrastructure.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
