Many parts of Japan experienced extremely high temperatures again on Wednesday. Weather officials are warning of another scorching day on Thursday.
The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system covered wide areas mainly in eastern and western Japan on Wednesday, pushing up temperatures.
The mercury in the city of Nishiwaki in the western prefecture of Hyogo hit 39.5 degrees. Daytime highs also went up to 39.3 degrees in Katsuragi Town, Wakayama Prefecture, 39.1 degrees in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, 39 degrees in Gifu City, and 38.2 degrees in Nagoya City.
Temperatures reached 37.9 degrees in the cities of Kyoto and Saga, and 37.6 degrees in the cities of Nara, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi.
Another extremely hot day is expected on Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 degrees in the cities of Osaka, Nagoya and Saga.
The agency and the Environment Ministry have issued heatstroke alerts for 29 of the country’s 47 prefectures.
Weather officials are warning that daytime highs are expected to reach at least 35 degrees in parts of eastern and western Japan through around Tuesday next week.
Many people have been taken to hospital this summer with suspected symptoms of heatstroke, with fatalities.
Authorities are advising people to refrain from outings and exercise, use air conditioners and consume water and salt.
They also urge people to pay close attention to senior citizens, babies and younger children, as they are especially vulnerable to extreme heat.
People planning outdoor leisure activities during the Bon holidays are advised to carry ice in water bottles and ice packs.
Weather officials also say atmospheric conditions have become extremely unstable mainly in eastern and western Japan due to soaring temperatures and warm, damp air. This may cause localized heavy rain of 50 millimeters per hour accompanied by lightning.
Rainfall in the 24 hours through 6 p.m. on Thursday could reach 100 millimeters in northern Kanto.
Weather officials are warning of flooding in low-lying areas, swollen rivers and mudslides. They are also urging caution against lightning strikes and violent gusts, including tornadoes.