South Korea province deploys drones to warn elderly farmers amid heatwave

In South Korea's North Gyeongsang province, drones are now patrolling the skies, serving as an unusual but vital guardian for elderly farmers battling a relentless heatwave. The region is experiencing one of the country's worst heatwaves in years, pushing temperatures to dangerous levels.

Farmers like 69-year-old Hwang Hyun-guk, often absorbed in their work tending to crops such as peppers, are now being alerted by the overhead drones. These flying machines emit audio warnings, reminding them to take necessary breaks, cool down, and shorten their working hours to avoid heatstroke.

The deployment highlights the government's efforts to protect its aging agricultural workforce, who are particularly susceptible to the extreme weather conditions. This innovative use of technology aims to mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures in the fields.