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       SEOUL — The extreme weather sweeping across Asia has claimed more victims, with South Korea and Japan reporting deaths from the sweltering heat and authorities in both countries issuing alerts this week.

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       Extreme heat waves and typhoons have wreaked havoc this summer. In China, Typhoon Doksuri hit Beijing this week, killing 11 and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate.

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       What extreme heat does to the body arrow left arrow right

       (For The Washington Post)

       The human body is remarkably resilient to heat, but the combination of heat and humidity (called the wet bulb temperature) can make it harder — or impossible — to cool down. Here’s what extreme heat does to the body, and how some parts of the world could become too hot for humans to survive.

       Extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other weather hazard.

       When there’s a heat wave, there are precautions you can take. There are foods you can eat (and should avoid) to help keep cool. Here’s how to know if it’s too hot to exercise, or too hot to take your dog for a walk.

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       Coming on the heels of Doksuri, Typhoon Khanun is churning through Japan’s southernmost Okinawa prefecture, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rain on Wednesday and triggering more alerts.

       Scientists have warned that extreme weather events have become more frequent and damaging as a result of global warming.

       On Tuesday, the South Korean government raised the heat alert to its highest level for the first time since 2019. Temperatures in parts of South Korea topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) this week, although it feels hotter because of high humidity.

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       At least 23 people in South Korea have died of heat-related causes since late May, according to estimates by the country’s fire authorities. Of those, two deaths were reported on Tuesday, senior citizens who were doing agricultural work outside.

       This summer’s death toll is more than three times higher than figures from the same period last year, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported.

       South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called this week for a “belt-and-braces” approach to prevent heat-related illness, especially in the elderly and people who work outdoors. He told officials to consider cooling shelters across the country and monitor the energy supply amid soaring air-conditioning demands.

       More than 400 heatstroke cases have been reported among tens of thousands of teenage campers at the World Scout Jamboree, which opened in South Korea’s southwestern Buan County on Wednesday.

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       Some participating countries postponed sending their delegations to the international youth event amid concerns about adverse conditions at the campsite. Jamboree organizers said they have expanded emergency medical support and set up cooling shelters to prevent heat-related illnesses.

       In neighboring Japan, temperatures as high as 103.6 degrees (39.8C) have been recorded in southern parts of the country this week. As of Wednesday, the “special heatstroke alert” has been issued in 32 prefectures in Japan, meaning school activities are canceled and tourist sites closed.

       Japan is coming off its hottest July since records began 125 years ago. With temperatures routinely surpassing 95 degrees (35C), a record 11,765 people were taken to hospitals for heatstroke last week, which is 1.8 times higher than levels during same period last year.

       Despite the Japanese government’s goal to halve heat-related deaths by 2030, this summer’s heatstroke toll is soaring. A 13-year-old student died of suspected heatstroke on her way home from school last week in Yamagata prefecture, north of Tokyo.

       In central Tokyo, 73 people died last month from heat-related illness, the Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office said. Over half did not use air conditioning at home, according to the office.

       In rapidly aging Japan and South Korea, the elderly are the hardest hit among the heat victims, complicating public health adaptation strategies.

       More on extreme heat Our warming climate: In July, Phoenix set a national heat wave record for the hottest month ever in a U.S. city. Heat waves are ramping up the global burning of fossil fuels, as July will be Earth’s hottest month on record. Here’s why the sweltering heat wave isn’t moving anytime soon. Use our tracker to see your city’s extreme heat risk. Take a look at what extreme heat does to the human body.

       How to stay safe: It’s better to prepare for extreme heat before you’re in it. Here’s our guide to bracing for a heat wave, tips for staying cool even if you don’t have air conditioning, and what to know about animal safety during extreme heat. Traveling during a heat wave isn’t ideal, but here’s what to do if you are.

       Understanding the science: Sprawling zones of high pressure called heat domes fuel heat waves. Here’s how they work. You can also read more about the link between weather disasters and climate change, and how leaders in the U.S. and Europe are responding to heat.

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