Seoul gets first severe heatwave warning

South Korea's weather agency issued a severe heatwave warning for Seoul on Monday, the first such alert for the capital since the designation was introduced this year.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said some districts in the city could face more extreme heat after the apparent, or feels-like, temperature reached 35C for a second consecutive day in parts of Seoul. It forecast apparent temperatures as high as 38C from 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

The warning advised people to halt or postpone outdoor activities and work where possible, and to move to cool places such as air-conditioned indoor spaces or designated heat relief shelters.

The alert followed new national heat records on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when temperatures reached up to 42.5C. Health authorities said nearly 300 people had been hospitalised during the heatwave.

The severe heatwave warning category was introduced in South Korea this year. Scientists warn that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change.