Record heatwave grips Asia as potatoes ‘boil’ in fields, lions perish
The crop, grown in South Korea’s Gangwon province, had appeared healthy just a week earlier. But when Lee dug into the soil, he found the potatoes were ‘like boiled potatoes’.
Record heatwave is gripping large portions of Asia, causing havoc across South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and China. Extreme temperatures have been affecting South Korea, particularly the densely populated Seoul area, where temperatures soared to nearly 40°C (104°F). In Yanghu, around 130km northeast of Seoul, a farmer observed his potatoes 'boiling' in the ground, a result of the severe heatwave that transformed them.
Hong Kong also witnessed a record-breaking 36.9°C, the highest temperature since records began in 1884. Meanwhile, three lions at a Tokyo zoo succumbed to heatstroke and other animals displayed heatstroke symptoms. Despite an ongoing El Niño event, which typically reduces the likelihood of extreme heat in Japan, the country experienced record temperatures.
Hong Kong's heat stress warning system for outdoor workers was criticized for being set too high, as it remained at its lowest level even during the record-breaking temperatures. In China, Xinjiang region recorded a staggering 50°C in July due to intense heat. North Korea witnessed tropical nights with temperatures above 25°C even overnight.
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