TOKYO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Temperatures surged in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido on Thursday, with several cities marking new hottest-ever readings, the country's weather agency said.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), warm air from a Pacific high-pressure system continued to blanket the country, with a heatstroke alert in place for Hokkaido's Abashiri, Kitami, Mombetsu, Kushiro, Nemuro and Tokachi regions.
In the prefecture, Kitami logged a new all-time high of 39.0 degrees Celsius at 2:31 p.m. local time, while Tsubetsu logged 38.4 degrees Celsius, Bihoro 38.3 degrees Celsius and Otofuke 38.2 degrees Celsius, also hitting the hottest readings on record.
Meanwhile, Obihiro and Ashoro both hit 38.2 degrees Celsius, establishing new July temperature records.
Elsewhere in Japan, a daytime high of 39.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, as well as in Date, Fukushima Prefecture, the JMA added.
Weather officials advised people to spend time in cool places, consume adequate amounts of water and salt, and rest frequently while doing outdoor activities. ■
