Japan suffers deadly record heat wave – AccuWeather estimates death toll likely in the hundreds, may climb into the thousands – Emergency personnel respond to record number of calls

Desdemona Despair

21 July 2018 (VOA News) – Japan is in the midst of a deadly, record-breaking heat wave.

Thirty people have died with the high temperatures and thousands have been rushed to the hospital across the country.

Officials are advising people to be sure to drink water and find air conditioning in an effort to avoid heat stroke.

In central Japan, the temperature rose to 40.9 Celsius (105F).

The city of Kyoto registered 38 Celsius (100F) for seven days in a row.

The scorching temperatures have people wondering about the wisdom of holding the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. [more]

Japan Suffers Deadly Record Heat Wave

By Eric Leister and Robert Richards
21 July 2018 (AccuWeather) – A deadly heat wave is expected to continue into early week across Japan as Ampil bypasses the region to the south.

The storm will pass close enough to produce a few showers and thunderstorms across southern Japan the rest of the weekend, bringing some brief relief from the heat.

Elsewhere, no relief is expected and the grueling heat is expected to continue for much of this week.

The heat wave has already claimed more than two dozen lives, while more than 10,000 other people have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses, according to the Japan Times.

“AccuWeather estimates the death toll from Japan heat wave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heat wave ends,” AccuWeather President and Founder Dr. Joel N. Myers said. “The actual total human toll may not ever be known as heat-related fatality reports are historically underdone since not all deaths are correctly attributed to heat and some result from accelerating serious health issues and the fatalities show up weeks later. The elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure, are likely to face declining health due to exacerbation of their conditions due to weather. Heat exhaustion and stroke, dehydration, migraines, loss of sleep and mood alteration can all occur due to dangerous heat. Historical data shows that more people are likely to be involved in vehicle crashes due to heat-related impacts, such as decreased ability to concentrate, the poor quality of sleep they get and impaired mood, etc.” [more]

Deadly heat wave to grip Japan into early week as Ampil passes to the south

KYODO, 19 July 2018 (Japan Times) – Exhaustion and heat stroke caused by scorching summer temperatures on Thursday killed 10 people in seven prefectures and sent 2,605 people to hospitals, according to the latest figures.

Extremely hot weather is predicted continue on Friday, as the Meteorological Agency urged people to drink sufficient water to prevent heat exhaustion.

A total of 246 people were rushed to hospitals in Aichi Prefecture, 241 in Osaka, 190 in Saitama and 131 in Tokyo.

Temperature rose to as high as 40.7 Celsius in Gifu Prefecture.

Tokyo rescuers responded to more than 3,000 emergency calls Wednesday, a one-day record, as a deadly heat wave continued to grip Japan, preliminary data from the city’s fire department showed Thursday.

A total of 317 people, from a 1-year-old infant up to a 105-year-old, were taken to hospitals in the capital Wednesday. The number of emergency calls broke the previous record of 2,900 set the previous day.

The education ministry instructed local education boards and universities nationwide to take thorough measures to prevent heat stroke. A 6-year-old boy died Tuesday after attending an outdoor class at his elementary school in Aichi Prefecture.

The ministry warned that people could suffer from heat exhaustion even with temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees, depending on humidity and other conditions.

The mercury continued to hover well over 35 C in many areas of Japan on Thursday, with Kyoto registering 39.8 C, the city’s highest-ever recorded temperature.

The Meteorological Agency warned of extremely high temperatures and called on people to take precautionary steps such as drinking water and adjusting room temperatures. [more]

Emergency personnel respond to record number of calls as heat wave kills 10 more in Japan