"Mass fish deaths in both land and sea in Wando and Sinan, Jeonnam"

(Muan=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Hye-in = In the coastal areas of Jeonnam, where water temperatures have soared to around 30 degrees Celsius, a mass fish die-off has occurred.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Government on the 6th, a total of 74,000 fish have died in 14 fishing areas in Wando and Sinan due to the high water temperatures.

In six fishing areas in Wando, 53,000 flounders died, and in eight fishing areas in Sinan, 21,000 rockfish died, with the estimated damage amounting to approximately 170 million won.

A high water temperature alert has been issued for four sea areas, including Hampyeong Bay, Doam Bay, Deokryang Bay, and Yeoja Bay, for the ninth consecutive day, with water temperatures mostly approaching 30 degrees Celsius.

According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science, water temperatures on the day were recorded as 30.4 degrees Celsius in Yeoja Bay, 29.6 degrees Celsius in Gamak Bay, 29.5 degrees Celsius in Hampyeong Bay, 29.4 degrees Celsius in Doam Bay, and 29.2 degrees Celsius in Deokryang Bay.

Heat-related illnesses are also increasing on land.

According to the disease control surveillance system, a total of 276 heat-related patients were reported from May 15 to the previous day, including 51 in Gwangju and 225 in Jeonnam.

Livestock deaths are also on the rise.

In 360 farms in Jeonnam, a total of 209,642 chickens, ducks, and pigs died from the heat, with damages amounting to 29.2 billion 800 million won.

As of 6 PM on that day, the highest perceived temperature in major areas of Gwangju and Jeonnam was 34.2 degrees Celsius in Gwangyang-eup, 33.9 degrees Celsius in Bongsan, Damyang, Haeje, Muan, and Podu, Goheung, 33.8 degrees Celsius in Beolgyo, Boseong, and 33.7 degrees Celsius in Haksan, Yeongam, and 32.8 degrees Celsius in Gwangju.

Currently, a heat wave warning has been issued for the entire Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, and while some heat wave alerts may be lifted as 30 to 80 mm of rain falls between midnight and early morning, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that hot and humid weather will continue for the time being.