World News
Torrential rain triggers flooding and landslides in north-central Japan
Authorities issued Level 5 warnings and advised over 380,000 residents to seek shelter as severe weather struck Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.
The short version
- Severe rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures has caused widespread flooding, landslides, road closures, and power outages.
- More than 380,000 residents were advised to evacuate to safer areas as emergency workers deployed boats to rescue stranded people.
- No injuries have been reported so far, though the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of additional rainfall through Friday morning.
Key facts
- The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest Level 5 heavy rain warning for parts of Ishikawa and Toyama, forecasting up to 20 centimeters of rain in some areas through Friday morning.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Local authorities advised more than 380,000 residents to evacuate and seek shelter on safer ground.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- In Ishikawa prefecture, at least 270 homes across three municipalities were flooded, and landslides forced the closure of several roads.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed that multiple rivers overflowed, but reported that no injuries had been documented.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Electricity was knocked out for more than 1,000 homes across Toyama and Ishikawa, according to Hokuriku Electric Power Co.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The full extent of the property damage and the status of blocked transport routes remain to be fully evaluated as rainfall continues.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
- Heavy rain and flooding in north-central Japan strands people and vehiclesAssociated Press
- Heavy rain and flooding in north-central Japan strands people and vehiclesABC News - International