Asian Weather Extremes: Seoul Faces Record Heat as India Braces for Monsoon Rains
South Korea's capital prepares for its first severe heatwave warning following record temperatures and 16 fatalities. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain warnings for Delhi and 20 other regions for Monday.
Key takeaways
- South Korea recorded its highest temperature in 122 years at 42.5C in Yangsan.
- Seoul has implemented its first severe heatwave warning under a new crisis management system.
- The IMD has issued heavy rainfall alerts for August 10 and 11 across northern and northeastern India, including Delhi.
What Happened
South Korea is experiencing extreme weather conditions as heat shifts toward Seoul following a national record temperature of 42.5C in Yangsan on Sunday. This marks the highest temperature recorded in the country in 122 years. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reports 16 deaths and over 2,000 treatments for heat-related illnesses since May. In response, Seoul authorities have activated a severe heatwave warning for the first time under a newly established monitoring system.
Simultaneously, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for Monday, August 10, 2026. The alert covers a broad geography including Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and several northeastern states. In Delhi, while the weather warning is active, the Directorate of Education has not issued a city-wide school closure order as of August 9.
Background
The heatwave in South Korea has prompted the mobilization of 200 trucks in Seoul to spray water across 2,000km of roads to mitigate urban temperatures. Health officials are monitoring 63,000 vulnerable residents, while provincial authorities in North Gyeongsang are utilizing drones with thermal cameras and loudspeakers to manage public safety in crowded areas. President Lee Jae Myung has called for a systemic overhaul of the national crisis system, noting that extreme weather is becoming a normalized occurrence.
Key Facts
- A new South Korean national record of 42.5C was set in Yangsan on Sunday.
- Seoul is forecast to reach 38C on Tuesday, followed by three days at 37C.
- Sixteen people have died from heat-related causes in South Korea since May 2026.
- The IMD rainfall warning for August 10 and 11 covers Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
- Over 20 Indian states and union territories, including Maharashtra, Punjab, and Assam, are under heavy rain alerts.
- Delhi authorities previously closed schools on August 1, 2024, due to similar weather conditions, but no such order is currently in place for August 10, 2026.
What Happens Next
Seoul residents face sustained high temperatures through the week, with power systems under inspection to handle increased air conditioning demand. In India, parents and students await potential local school communications as monsoon conditions prevail. The IMD warnings for the Delhi sub-division remain in effect through Tuesday, August 11.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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