TOKYO - Many areas across Japan had another day of life-threatening temperatures on Thursday with cities in western to eastern Japan reporting daytime highs above 38 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system pushed up temperatures from western through northern Japan.
The temperature reached 39.8 degrees at 2:18 p.m. in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. That is a record high for the city since records began in 1977. The temperature is also the highest in Japan so far this season.
A daytime high of 39.5 degrees was recorded in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture. 39.4 degrees in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, and in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, and 38.8 degrees in Kyoto City.
Temperatures topped 35 degrees at 251 observation points across the country. Nearly 90 percent of all observation points had temperatures above 30 degrees.
A heatstroke alert was issued for the northern prefecture of Hokkaido for the first time in about two years.
Weather officials are urging people to be on alert for heatstroke overnight, as night temperatures are not expected to drop so much.
Intense heat is expected to continue across wide areas in Japan on Friday.
Temperatures are expected to reach 39 degrees in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, and 38 degrees in some cities such as Kumamoto and Kyoto.
The number of people taken to hospital with symptoms of heatstroke has surged since the beginning of this month. Some patients have died.
People are advised to use air conditioners appropriately, keep hydrated even if they do not feel thirsty and avoid unnecessary outings and exercise during the day.
Source: ANNnewsCH
