Heatstroke risk rises to dangerous level with the summer sun coming out for “Grain in Ear” in Nago, Miyako, and Ishigaki

Heatstroke risk rises to dangerous level with the summer sun coming out for “Grain in Ear” in Nago, Miyako, and Ishigaki

The sponge gourd flowers shining under the blue sky. June 4, Kamizato Village in Haebaru (photograph taken by Naoya Oshiro)


June 5, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

June 5 was boshu (Grain in Ear), one of the 24 points on the traditional East Asian solar calendar. It marks the time of the year to sow grains such as rice and wheat. On June 4, a high-pressure system and sunny weather not often seen in the rainy season came to Okinawa.

Of the 25 locations in Okinawa where the temperature is officially measured, a record setting 23 of them broke 30 degrees Celsius, including the Hateruma neighborhood of Taketomi, which reached a high of 32.7 degrees. The Ministry of the Environment’s heat index, which indicates the danger of heatstroke based on factors such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight was raised to a “dangerous” level for Nago, Miyakojima, and Ishigaki. The Okinawa Meteorological Observatory (OMO) predicted that the high temperatures would continue, and asked people to take precautions for their health.

In the fields of Kamizato in Haebaru, the yellow flowers of the sponge gourds are proudly blooming. Ryusaburo Kanzato, a farmer wearing a kubagasa, said smiling, “It’s very hot. The kubagasa is best for keeping out the sun.” Since there was a lot of rain and low sunshine in May, the harvest was delayed.

For the next week, due to an oncoming weather front there will be many cloudy days, and even some days with rain. The temperatures are expected to remain high, and then a high-pressure system will follow, resulting in many sunny days according to predictions.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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