KUMAMOTO, Japan/TOKYO — One week after a powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture, Japan is intensifying recovery operations as temperatures exceed 40°C, raising concerns about heatstroke and related fatalities.

The government is focused on preventing a surge in deaths linked to the earthquake and the accompanying extreme heat. So far, three deaths have been reported, fueling fears of additional heatstroke cases during the ongoing recovery phase.

Authorities are working swiftly to address the challenges posed by the combination of natural disaster aftermath and dangerous summer heat.

Sources