Japanese Weather Officials Warn Of Heavy Rainfall In Niigata, Yamagata
Japanese weather officials are warning of extremely heavy rainfall in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures along the Sea of Japan.
The Meteorological Agency says a front accompanied by a low pressure system near northern and central Japan has brought more rain than expected to Niigata Prefecture and the Tohoku region.
The agency issued information on heavy rainfall shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday after confirming bands of active rain clouds in the Kaetsu region of Niigata Prefecture and the Okitama region of Yamagata Prefecture.
Shibata City in Niigata Prefecture is believed to have had about 70 millimeters of rain between in the hour through 2 p.m.
About 60 millimeters of rainfall was also reported near Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, in the same period.
Landslide warnings have been issued for parts of Niigata, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures. Some rivers in Yamagata Prefecture are at risk of overflowing.
Officials are urging people to move to a sturdy building nearby or to a room on the second floor or higher, if necessary.
The northern Tohoku region has had torrential rain since before dawn on Wednesday.
The town of Fukaura in Aomori Prefecture had record rainfall of 172 millimeters over the 12-hour period through 1 p.m. That's about the same as the average for the entire month of August.
Landslide warnings have been issued for parts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Some rivers in Aomori, Iwate and Akita prefectures are at risk of overflowing.
Landslides and flooding have already been reported in some areas.
The Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture are expected to have downpours through Wednesday evening.
Some parts of the Hokuriku region, including Niigata, could have up to 130 millimeters of rain over the 24 hours through Thursday noon. Parts of Tohoku will likely have 100 millimeters during that period.
More rain is expected through Friday noon.
Officials are urging people to remain vigilant for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swelling of rivers.