One month since major earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Friday marks one month since a powerful earthquake rocked Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto. Authorities are urging people in the area to stay vigilant for more strong quakes.

The July 28 tremor registered the maximum intensity on the country's scale of zero to 7 in Uki City and Hikawa Town. The shaking caused widespread significant damage.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says quake frequency in the region has been moderately declining but still remains higher than usual. It is calling on people there to stay on alert for quakes with an intensity of around lower 5 or greater for the next one month or so.

The government's Earthquake Research Committee says the major quake is believed to have occurred when parts of the Hinagu fault zone moved. Seismologists are stressing the need for people to remain careful of strong tremors as some sections of the fault zone have not shifted.

Scorching heat has been gripping Kumamoto Prefecture since the quake. The daytime high in Kumamoto City surged to 40.3 degrees Celsius on August 3. The mercury in Yatsushiro City reached 39.2 degrees on Wednesday. Both are the highest for the respective cities since record keeping began.

Weather officials say they expect sweltering heat to continue in the prefecture over the next seven days, with temperatures predicted to remain high through early September.

People in the prefecture should take thorough precautions against heatstroke when they engage in cleaning, recovery or other activities. Recommended measures include resting regularly and consuming water and salt at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes.