Global warming is real and the effects can be felt all over the world. From the melting ice glaciers in the North Pole to the larva spewing volcano in Hawaii as well as the freak heat wave currently hitting, Sweden, Norway, Australia and Japan.The current heat wave is affecting the Island Nation of Japan the most as Dozens of people have already died across Japan as the country continues to swelter under scorching summer temperatures.
Japanese media reports that at least 44 people have died since July 9, with 11 dying on Saturday alone as temperatures remained around 38 degrees Celsius (99F) in central Tokyo as at Monday.
In nearby Kumagaya, the mercury rose to 41.1 degrees (105.98F), the highest ever on record in Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, almost 12 degrees hotter than average temperatures at this time of year.
The authorities have also forecasted extreme high temperature exceeding 35C (95F) for most parts of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu islands, with northerly Hokkaido the only one of the country’s four main islands that seems to have escaped from the Japanese heat wave.
The agency meteorological agency revealed that the potential for illnesses related to heat and hot weather is higher than normal around this period while advising people to take appropriate measures which include drinking lots of water, staying away from direct sunlight and using air conditioners.
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Some independent weather forecasters have predicted that the death toll from the Japan heat wave will most likely be in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, they believe it will rise way beyond that due to the elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure. Experts believe that these set of people are likely to succumb to the heat due to the exacerbation of their conditions because of the Japan heat wave.
“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” Japanese media reported
Japan is just recovering from the flooding that claimed several lives and destroyed infrastructure in the country.
Scientists and environmentalist point to Global warming as the cause of the extreme weather conditions being experienced in different parts of the World. With temperatures rising at an alarming rate, Last month was the fifth hottest June on record. According to reports by the US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration; all 10 warmest Junes have occurred since 2005, with the hottest ever in 2016.
Globally, the average land and ocean surface temperature for the first three months of the year was the sixth highest such period since global records began in 1880 while much of the northern hemisphere has been experiencing a scorching summer characterised by heat waves and extreme weather.