Heavy Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides in Northern Japan

Heavy rain hit northern Japan on Thursday, causing floods and landslides, disrupting transportation, and forcing hundreds to evacuate. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings, especially in Yamagata and Akita prefectures. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents to prioritize safety as rescue efforts ramped up.

Heavy rain hit northern Japan on Thursday, triggering floods and landslides. The downpour disrupted transportation systems and forced hundreds of residents to seek shelter. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefectures, where warm and humid air was flowing in.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents in the affected areas to put safety first and closely follow updates from authorities. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported one person missing in Yuzawa city, Akita, after being caught in a landslide at a road construction site. Rescue workers evacuated 11 people from a flooded area with a boat.

In Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell within an hour in the hardest-hit towns of Yuza and Sakata earlier on Thursday. Thousands were advised to seek shelter, though it was not immediately known how many complied. Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partly suspended, with more rainfall expected through Friday evening.

(With inputs from agencies.)