Manila: Over 10,000 people in Japan were urgently taken to hospitals due to heatstroke, highlighting the severe impact of the current heatwave. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that 10,857 individuals were transported by ambulance in the week through Sunday, marking a 2.4-fold increase from the previous week.

According to Philippines News Agency, this surge represents the first time the weekly figure has surpassed 10,000 since the surveys for this year began on May 1. An official from the agency described the situation as disastrous, underscoring the severity of the extreme heat. The data revealed that among those affected, 6,734 were aged 65 or older, making up over 60 percent of the total cases. The heatwave resulted in 14 fatalities and 321 individuals experiencing severe symptoms necessitating hospitalization for at least three weeks.

The majority of heatstroke incidents, totaling 4,523 cases, occurred at home. This trend aligns with the soaring temperatures recorded across Japan since the start of this month, with many areas reporting maximum daily temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or higher. Notably, the city of Kuwana in Mie Prefecture reached 40.6 degrees on Wednesday, the highest in the central city since records began and the highest in the country this year.

Neighboring areas also experienced extreme temperatures, with the city of Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture recording 40.0 degrees, marking the second consecutive day with temperatures hitting the 40-degree mark. Additionally, Tenryu Ward in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, and the city of Mino in Gifu each recorded 40.1 degrees on Wednesday.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has issued public advice to stay hydrated and replenish salt levels preemptively, as many individuals have not yet acclimatized to the intense heat. It further urged the populace to minimize outdoor activities during heatstroke alerts to mitigate the risks associated with the ongoing heatwave.