Heatwave kills 15; more than 8,000 hospitalised

[yuiyoshida]

Source: JapanToday

TOKYO —

Sweltering summer heat in Japan has left at least 15 people dead over the past week, while more than 8,000 others were rushed to hospital with heatstroke symptoms, official figures showed Tuesday.

At least six people died on Saturday alone, when the state weather agency warned temperatures had topped 35 degrees Celsius, with dripping humidity in certain parts of the country.

Nearly 8,600 people were taken to the emergency room for heat-related symptoms in the week through Sunday, more than double the previous week, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

The elderly were particularly vulnerable to the rising temperatures, with nearly half of those taken to hospital aged 65 or older, the agency data showed.

Read more: http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/heatwave-kills-15-more-than-8000-hospitalised

[BumRushDaShow]

1. The temps topped at ~95F

So sad. . We have enough of that here as well.

[Max power]

3. Here in Key West it's 9:00. Am

And already it's 87 , feels like 100
Humidity 75%

Been so so hot

[BumRushDaShow]

4. I hear ya

I think after an anomalous winter, we are getting some "winter pattern" weather today with the humidity thankfully scoured out, at least briefly. Occassionally, those summertime cool Canadian breezes make it down into FL, although rarely down as far as you.

In the desert SW during summer, the 95Fs are the lows of the day (although the humidity is almost non-existent). Here in Philly, we get those mid-upper 90s with high dewpoints in summer as a norm but reading the article and some of the comments to it, there appears to be a yearly issue in Japan with implementing common sense practices during heatwaves and the cost for AC is out of the realm of many folks there (a problem that we have here too).

[Leith Wise]

2. Thank God global warming is just a hoax!

[WhiteTara]

5. Welcome to DU!

Yes, it's wonderful that it's only a "story" that the earth's environment is changing. Proceed as though it's a joke! Full speed ahead to oblivion.

[Leith Wise]

6. Thank you

How do we sleep?

[bigwillq]

7. Hello.

Welcome to DU!

[Leith Wise]

10. Thx

[miyazaki]

9. Certainly not a hoax. But summer time conditions are always brutal in Japan.

Enjoy the summer Olympic games in a few years.

[freshwest]

8. So sorry. Japan hasn't had a break from bad news for a few years now.