Japan records hottest day in 5 years following historic flooding
A grueling heat wave caused at least 14 deaths across Japan since Saturday, and the dangerous conditions are not forecast to subside through the duration of the week.
Nearly 10,000 people have been treated at hospitals for heat-related illnesses over the past week, according to The Mainichi.
Temperatures soared to the highest levels of the year on Wednesday as the temperature peaked at 40.7 C (105.3 F) in the city of Tajimi. This marked the highest observed temperature in the Japan in nearly five years.
The intense heat is not expected to wane through at least Friday as dry weather continues and daily sunshine bakes much of Japan.
Widespread temperatures of 35 C (95 F) will be reported each day in inland locations while coastal communities can only expect modest relief from the heat.
Sweltering humidity will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures between 38 and 43 C (100 and 110 F) during the midday and afternoon hours.
A man holds a child at a water fall to cool off at a park in Tokyo, Monday, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The heat will continue to hamper ongoing relief efforts following the most deadly flooding in decades earlier this month.
The death toll from the historic flooding reached 222 as of Monday evening with at least 21 people still missing according to The Japan Times. This is the deadliest rain-related disaster in Japan since 1982 when more than 300 people were killed in Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures.
While the dry weather is welcomed for ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts, the heat will create dangerous conditions for relief workers and those still homeless following the flooding.
Any rain in the flood-stricken areas is expected to be limited to a stray shower or thunderstorm, mainly in the afternoon and evening hours and over the higher terrain.
Destroyed houses are covered with mud at a damaged area in Hiroshima, southwestern Japan, Wednesday, July 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Haruka Nuga)
A tropical depression has formed southeast of the Ryukyu Islands and will track northward over the next few days.
While the tropical cyclone is not expected to track into southern Japan, an increase in showers and thunderstorms and slightly lower temperatures are forecast to arrive as soon as this weekend.
A shift farther to the north could bring this tropical threat into areas that were ravaged by the deadly flooding earlier this month.
Report a Typo
