An intense heatwave killed at least 14 people over the past three days in Japan and hampered relief operations in flood-hit areas, Reuters reported, quoting local media. At least 200 people were killed as torrential rain triggered mudslides and flooding in western Japan.
Six people died on Saturday, two people on Sunday, and five on Monday, while around 2,000 people have sought treatment for heatstroke, according to Kyodo News. On Sunday, 184 people, including volunteers helping in removing debris, were taken to hospitals as the temperature touched 36 degree Celsius in some areas of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, which were the worst-hit by the flood.
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 Met department said.
Nineteen people remain missing or unaccounted for from the floods, and 64,000 personnel are still conducting search and rescue operations, CNN reported quoting officials. Thousands of households remain without electricity and water. This, combined with the heat, is making the clean-up operation difficult.
Temperatures soared above 39 degree Celsius in Ibigawa and Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture in the western part of the country, Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday. Temperatures rose above 38 degree Celsius in eastern and central regions. Of the agency’s 927 monitoring points, 186 logged 35 degrees or higher, it said.
Temperatures in parts of western Japan touched a high of 34.3 degree Celsius by Tuesday noon, creating dangerous conditions for military personnel and volunteers clearing mud and debris.
