A heatwave in Japan has killed more than 30 people and complicated recovery efforts after recent flooding.
In three prefectures that bore the brunt of the deadly floods and landslides – Hiroshima, Okayama and Ehime – 145 people were hospitalised with heatstroke symptoms on Thursday as temperatures soared above 35C.
The tourist hotspot of Kyoto reached a record 39.8C on Thursday and recorded a high of 38.6C on Friday.
Across the country, 10 people died from heat-related conditions on Thursday, bringing the death toll over the past two weeks to more than 30, according to the Kyodo news agency.
“It’s so hot, even by Hiroshima standards,” said Kosei Mito, a volunteer tour guide, as temperatures in Hiroshima soared to 36.7C on Friday. Cyclists in the city could be seen trying to fend off the sun’s glare by holding umbrellas above themselves while they rode.
The hot and humid conditions are expected to continue over the coming days.
The government called on local education authorities to take into account the dangers of heatstroke after the death of a six-year-old boy in Aichi prefecture in central Japan this week. He died after participating in outdoor activities at his primary school, Kyodo reported.
The heatwave is a setback for communities trying to recover from flooding and landslides caused by record rainfall in western Japan this month. At least 218 people died in that disaster and 12 remain missing.
NHK reported that cleanup volunteers in Soja, Okayama, were drinking plenty of water and taking breaks from the sun. The national broadcaster interviewed a 64-year-old resident who said he was exhausted from the work and had decided to take afternoons off to avoid heatstroke.
About 4,500 people are still in emergency shelters, down from the peak of 42,000, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency told Jiji Press.
In areas hardest hit by the floods, some roads remain closed and authorities are working to restore water supplies. Railway services have been disrupted. Official estimates suggest the torrential rain caused about 65bn yen (£444m) of damage to the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
