Japan also in chaos due to weather... "Tokyo records longest heatwave in history - heavy rain in Northeast"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Japanese archipelago is suffering from record-breaking heatwaves and heavy rains. In the capital city of Tokyo, a heatwave with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius has persisted for a record 14 consecutive days, while the northeastern region is experiencing heavy rainfall.

According to NHK Broadcasting on the 9th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that as of 11 a.m., the daytime temperature in central Tokyo reached 35 degrees Celsius, marking 14 consecutive days of heatwaves. This surpasses the previous records of 13 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in 1995 and 2010.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that the heatwave with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius will continue across the Japanese archipelago for the time being. In southwestern regions such as Kyoto City, Toyama City, and Tottori City, daytime high temperatures are expected to soar up to 36 degrees Celsius. NHK reported that heatstroke warnings have been issued throughout the Japanese archipelago, including eastern Japan and southwestern regions such as Kyushu, urging caution against heat-related illnesses.

In the northern part of northeastern Japan, record-breaking heavy rains continue. Areas including Aomori Prefecture and Akita Prefecture in the northeast are experiencing heavy rainfall. NHK reported that some areas have recorded the highest amount of rainfall ever observed, and in some places, the average rainfall for the entire month of August has fallen within just half a day.

Due to the ongoing rainy season, a landslide disaster warning has been issued for Hokkaido. The previous day, in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, a flood damage warning was issued, prompting evacuation alerts for 19,918 households.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that the stationary front formed by the meeting of the Pacific high-pressure system and the northern low-pressure system will cause heavy rain and heatwaves centered on the northeastern region until the 15th. They warned to be vigilant against landslides and river flooding and to take special care to prevent heatstroke during disaster response operations.