A heat wave gripping the nation is expected to continue this week and could hit its peak over the next several days.

Human-induced climate change has sent the mercury rising, particularly in the Hokuriku region facing the Sea of Japan, where temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius were recorded in many areas on Monday.

On the same day, the Meteorological Agency issued an alert for heatstroke in 36 prefectures.

At 1:40 p.m., the city of Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture recorded the highest temperature of 40.3 C, followed by the city of Toyama, where the mercury hit 39.8 C. A temperature of 39.2 C was recorded in the cities of Mima, in Tokushima Prefecture, and Sakai, in Fukui Prefecture.

Monday’s temperatures followed a heat wave between July 30 and Aug. 2, which saw at least one region experience dangerous heat that surpassed 40 C over four consecutive days — the first time in 13 years that this had happened.

Last Wednesday, the city of Tamba in Hyogo Prefecture experienced Japan’s highest temperature ever of 41.2 C.

The high temperatures are expected to persist throughout the country over the next couple of days, though rain forecast for various regions across the country from Thursday could lead to cooler days toward the end of the week.

Amid the sustained high temperatures, people are advised to take measures to prevent heatstroke, including making sure that those most susceptible to it — such as children and elderly people — stay in cool environments with air conditioning and for event organizers to make sure that participants take precautions.

The Meteorological Agency advises that events be canceled in view of heat or for them to be postponed to a later date. If either option is unavailable, the agency recommends that events be transitioned online instead.

A total of 17,229 people were taken to hospital with symptoms of heatstroke in June, according to the most recent data from the internal affairs ministry. This is the highest number ever in a single month, according to data that dates back to 2010.

Of the total, 26 people died, while 324 others suffered severe cases of heatstroke.

Elderly people made up the largest proportion of the number, with 60% of those taken to hospital being over the age of 65.

Although the total number for July is yet to be released, it is evident that numbers are increasing as temperatures across the country continue to rise. In the week through Sunday alone, a total of 10,804 people were taken to hospital, of whom 16 died.