An intense heatwave killed at least 14 people over a three-day long weekend in Japan, media reported on Tuesday.

High temperatures hampered the recovery in flood-hit areas where more than 200 people died last week.

Temperatures on Monday, a national holiday, surged above 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 Fahrenheit) in some inland areas and combined with high humidity to produce dangerous conditions, the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

Over 2,000 people were taken to hospitals for heat exhaustion or heatstroke, according to a Kyodo News tally.

The heat was most intense in landlocked areas such as Gifu prefecture, where it soared to 39.3 Celsius in the town of Ibigawa on Monday – the hottest in the nation. The capital Tokyo recorded a high of 34 Celsius on Monday.

Temperatures in parts of western Japan hit by deadly floods reached a high of 34.3 Celsius by midday on Tuesday, creating dangerous conditions for military personnel and volunteers clearing mud and debris.

Last year, 48 people died from heat between May and September, with 31 deaths in July, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The current heatwave was due to the layering of two high pressure systems over much of Japan and is expected to continue for the rest of the week if not longer, the JMA said.

Source: Japan Times, South China Morning Post

BDST: 1400 HRS, JUL 17, 2018
SI