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Record heatwave boils potatoes in Asia
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The gist
Record heatwave boils potatoes in South Korean fields, with Yangsan hitting 42.5C. The extreme heat, 'virtually impossible' without global warming, devastates crops across Asia.
Background
A severe heatwave has been sweeping across Asia, with South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong experiencing record temperatures. Scientists attribute the intensity to global warming, noting that such heat would be virtually impossible without human-caused climate change. The heat has caused potatoes to 'boil' in the ground, ruined harvests, and led to livestock deaths.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2026Japan records its first officially designated 'cruelly hot' day, with temperatures above 40°C.
- Aug 2026South Korea's Yangsan hits 42.5C, the highest since records began in 1904. Hong Kong reaches 36.9C, its highest since 1884.
- Aug 12, 2026The Guardian reports potatoes 'boiling' in the ground in South Korea's Yanggu county, with farmer Lee Sang-hyuk finding nothing worth saving.
- Aug 13, 2026News outlets report widespread crop damage, including watermelon farmer Hong Kyung-hee's fruit turning to mush, and three lions dying of suspected heatstroke in Tokyo.
- Aug 14, 2026Japan experiences 'unprecedented' rain, killing four and stranding thousands at an airport, as extreme weather continues.
Who’s saying what
- Scientists
- Researchers at Japan's Weather Attribution Centre say the intense July heat would have been 'virtually impossible' without global warming.
- Farmers
- South Korean farmer Lee Sang-hyuk expressed distress, saying 'I'm so upset' after finding potatoes boiled in the ground.
- Meteorologists
- Meteorologists in Japan say climate breakdown is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Still unverified
The exact number of livestock deaths and the full extent of crop damage across Asia are not specified in the material.