The Meteorological Agency on Tuesday warned of possible water shortages due to low precipitation levels in Tokyo and areas west of the capital.
Between June 21 and Monday, rainfall in central Tokyo totaled 44.5 mm, 83 percent less than the average rainfall for the period. Nagoya received 46 mm, down 86 percent, while 53.5 mm of rain fell in Osaka, down 80 percent, during the same period.
The agency said no major precipitation -- enough to forestall the water shortages -- is expected to fall in the coming week.
Furthermore, western Japan is also forecast to be hit by high temperatures during the next week, with the daily high reaching at least two degrees higher than average.
According to the agency, average monthly precipitation in August in Tokyo is 155.1 mm, lower than 161.5 mm for the July average and 164.9 mm for the June average.