Extreme heat, even cooking pumpkin… Agricultural crop conditions 'emergency'
The government has raised the heat wave crisis alert level to its highest stage, 'serious', as unprecedented heat continues.
Recently, citizens have frequently been seen carrying umbrellas to escape the scorching sun or walking in search of shade.
In the midst of this, mini pumpkins in a field in Jeju have started to ripen without being harvested, becoming soft and mushy.
On the 12th, a farmer operating a farm in Jeju posted a video on social media with the caption, "It's so hot that the mini pumpkins are ripening in the field," showing the overripe pumpkins still hanging from their stalks before harvest.
The mini pumpkins in the video displayed a rich yellow color, resembling those just taken out of a steamer. The farmer, seemingly in disbelief, used scissors to probe the pumpkin, but it was undeniably ripe.
In relation to this, the farmer explained, "With the ongoing heat wave warning, many pumpkins are visibly overripe," adding, "I poked to check just in case, and they really have ripened."
He also commented in the post, "The amount being discarded is quite significant. It's such a waste."
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제주볼레섬농장 제주농산물 미니단호박 미니밤호박 (@bollesom_jeju)
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제주볼레섬농장 제주농산물 미니단호박 미니밤호박 (@bollesom_jeju)
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제주볼레섬농장 제주농산물 미니단호박 미니밤호박 (@bollesom_jeju)
Thus, the agricultural crop conditions are in a state of emergency due to unusual weather patterns marked by extreme heat and localized heavy rain.
The heat that has even ripened pumpkins has caused highland cabbage, which thrives in cooler climates, to develop 'soft rot' and has driven the price of summer fruits like watermelons to the 30,000 won range.
To make matters worse, temperatures are expected to reach 35-36 degrees Celsius until the 31st, making it essential for both crops and citizens on the streets to prepare adequately for the heat wave.
Image source: instagram 'bollesom_jeju', News1
