Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Landslides, Forces Evacuations in Southwest Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) – Torrential rain has unleashed devastating landslides, resulting in the tragic death of one person and compelling authorities to order tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu. On Monday, one woman in her 70s tragically lost her life when a landslide struck her house in Fukuoka prefecture, according to public broadcaster NHK. Additionally, NHK reported that three individuals are missing after another landslide hit two homes in Saga prefecture.
The severity of the situation has prompted the issuance of the highest-level warning for heavy rain in parts of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures. Satoshi Sugimoto, the director of the forecast division at the Japan Meteorological Agency, warns that up to an additional 200 mm of rain is expected to fall in northern Kyushu by early morning on Tuesday. He declared, “The rain is becoming so heavy unlike anything seen before.”
In response to the dangerous conditions, the Shinkansen bullet train’s service has been suspended between Hiroshima and Fukuoka’s Hakata stations.
As authorities continue their efforts to manage the ongoing crisis, further updates will be provided.
Reported by Daniel Leussink and Satoshi Sugiyama; Edited by Stephen Coates
Credit: The Star : News Feed
