TOKYO (Jiji Press)--Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday that 10,857 people were transported to hospitals by ambulance for heatstroke in Japan in the week through Sunday, up 2.4 times from the preceding week.

The weekly number exceeded 10,000 for the first time since surveys for this year began on May 1. "It's not an exaggeration to say it's a disaster," an agency official said of the recent extreme heat.

Among those rushed to hospital, 6,734 were aged 65 or older, accounting for more than 60 pct of the total. Fourteen people died while 321 had severe symptoms requiring hospitalization for at least three weeks.

Of the total, 4,523 people suffered heatstroke at residences, the most common location where cases occurred.

Temperatures have soared across the country since the start of this month, with many locations recording maximum daily readings of 35 degrees Celsius or higher.

The mercury reached 40.6 degrees in the city of Kuwana in Mie Prefecture on Wednesday, the highest in the central Japan city since data started and the highest temperature in the country this year, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The city of Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture, a Mie neighbor, logged 40.0 degrees, hitting the 40-degree mark for the second straight day. On Tuesday, the temperature in the city rose to as high as 40.3 degrees.

Tenryu Ward in the city of Hamamatsu in the central prefecture of Shizuoka and the city of Mino in Gifu each recorded 40.1 degrees Wednesday.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency advised the public to get hydrated and replenish salt before becoming thirsty, warning that many people have not yet acclimatized to the sudden heat. It also urged people to refrain from going out as much as possible on days when heatstroke alerts are issued.