Scorching heat has taken over inland areas of the nation’s central region and North Gyeongsang Province after monsoon rains receded.
 
The Ministry of Public Safety and Security and the Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heat wave watch at eleven a.m. Wednesday for Seoul, 19 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, four cities and counties in North Gyeongsang Province and the eastern and northern parts of Jeju.
 
The weather agency said temperatures will remain higher than previous years for the time being. The agency urged people to take good care of their health given that afternoon highs could exceed 30 degrees Celsius in inland areas.
 
A heat wave watch is issued when the daily high is expected to remain above 33 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days.
 
When a heat wave watch is issued, people are advised to refrain from going outside. If they are to go out, they must wear light clothing and hats as well as drink water often.
 
When such a watch is in place, workplaces and schools must refrain from holding events outside and be extra careful in terms of sanitation to avoid food poisoning.