Dozens Die in North Asia Heat Wave as Power Supply Strained

[question everything]

Source: Bloomberg.com

Record temperatures across North Asia have killed dozens and pushed electricity grids to near breaking point, forcing governments to introduce emergency measures as more of the same heat is forecast.

Air-conditioning in South Korea’s public buildings has been shut off as the government yesterday warned of power shortages. China has opened air-raid shelters as makeshift cooling stations, while thousands in Japan have been hospitalized for heatstroke.

(snip)

Eight people have died of heatstroke across South Korea as of Aug. 11, while 867 people have been hospitalized, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Seventeen people in Japan were killed by heatstroke between Aug. 7 and Aug. 11, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, with more than 9,800 in the hospital for treatment. In China, at least 11 people have died from heatstroke since July, the Shanghai Daily reported Aug. 1, citing local authorities.

(snip)

The record temperatures are a result of multilayered high pressure systems extending over much of the region, including Japan, South Korea and China, Kenji Okada, a forecaster at the Japan Meteorological Agency, said today.


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-13/dozens-die-in-asia-heat-wave-as-power-supply-strained-to-limits.html

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A giant panda lies on a huge ice block in attempt to cool off at Guangzhou's Changlong Wildlife Zoo on July 30, 2013. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

[Berlum]

1. Meanwhile, Republicons continue to spew eViL lies, Inc (R)

[rpannier]

2. I live in Boseong, Korea which is in the southern end near the sea

Every day has cleared 90 and we had three nights where the low was in the low 90's

[nolabear]

3. Wow. Take care, rpannier. Lots of water, water soaked rags, shade, and water.

We always think of the stresses that global warming places on our resources here in the US, but there are certainly places where the situations going to be dire unless we make some major, global changes. It may well be what unites us at last.

[question everything]

4. That's hard

Hope you are close enough to the sea to at least jump into it to cool off.

And if you can, stay in the shade.

[davidpdx]

7. I'm up in Bucheon

We've been above 90 everyday as well. Did you get a thunderstorm today?

[rpannier]

9. No Of course not

I used to be in Bucheon. I lived in Jung-dong near the art high school
Today cleared 90 again

[davidpdx]

10. We had a brief thunderstorm

it was kind of strange. It came out of nowhere and lasted about 20 minutes and then got hot again.

[murielm99]

5. Imagine how they are suffering in North Korea.

Those people have nothing. My husband always says the whole country is a big labor/prison camp.

[Marrah_G]

6. I can't imagine how many are dying in North Korea

[davidpdx]

8. I live in South Korea

We've been on alert to possibly have our power cut off. The heat and humidity is terrible. It's been averaging 32 or 33 C with 75% humidity.