Unprecedented Rainfall in Japan Leads to Flooding, Landslides, and Travel Chaos
Heavy rainfall has plagued Japan's southern island, Kyushu, triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and causing significant travel disruptions. The severe weather has also led to injuries, missing persons, and forced evacuations, all coinciding with a week-long Buddhist holiday.
The heavy downpours are the result of a persistent low-pressure system that has been hovering over the region. The rainfall has hit the southern province of Kagoshima and the northern area of the island particularly hard.
High-Level Rainfall Warning
The country's weather agency initially issued a top-level warning for Kumamoto prefecture, as rainfall surpassed 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) within 24 hours. The weather forecast predicted continued heavy rain over Kyushu until Tuesday afternoon. Although the warning for Kumamoto was later downgraded as the deluge moved east, a lower-level alert remained in place for western Japan, where rainfall up to 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) was anticipated by Tuesday noon.
Evacuation and Rescue Operations
Local authorities, in response to the situation, advised tens of thousands of residents in Kumamoto and six other affected prefectures to evacuate. Military personnel were dispatched to Kagoshima to supply fresh water to impacted areas. Meanwhile, in Kumamoto, rescue teams were on the hunt for missing persons.
A tragic incident occurred where a man disappeared as a landslide struck while he and his family were preparing to leave for an evacuation center. The family in the car was saved, but the man was later found unresponsive. Elsewhere in Kumamoto, an elderly woman was discovered inside a car that had been swept into a river, her condition remains uncertain. Others reported missing include three people who fell into swollen rivers and a person who was rescued after being trapped under a landslide.
Furthermore, two more individuals were reported missing after falling into rivers in the nearby prefecture of Fukuoka.
Stranded Campers and Residents
In the city of Kamiamakusa, around 20 campers and residents from a few other residential areas were left stranded, awaiting rescue.
Media footage depicted the severity of the situation, with muddy water carrying debris and broken trees, and residents wading through waist-deep floodwaters.
Government Response and Public Caution
The country's Prime Minister urged residents to exercise extreme caution and prioritize their safety. He also assured that the government was backing search and rescue efforts for the missing and assisting those affected by the calamity.
Impact on Travel During Holiday Week
The heavy rainfall also disrupted travel plans during Japan's Buddhist "Bon" holiday week. Bullet train services connecting Kagoshima and Hakata in northern Kyushu were suspended, along with local train services. Although services partially resumed in Kyushu, western Japan began to experience disruptions as the heavy rains migrated east.
Power Outages
Approximately 6,000 households in Kumamoto lost power, but by later Monday, almost half had their power restored.
The severe weather, which started last week, has already resulted in one missing person and four injuries in Kagoshima.