Officials Warn Of Landslides In Northern Japan As More Rain Is Forecast
Heavy rain is lashing parts of northern Japan. Weather officials are warning of landslides in areas where the ground has already been loosened by days of rainfall.
The Meteorological Agency says unstable atmospheric conditions in Tohoku and the prefectures of Hokkaido and Niigata are due to a low-pressure system accompanied by a front passing over northern Japan.
In the one-hour period through 5 p.m. on Thursday, 37 millimeters of rain was observed in the city of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. The second-highest alert is in place for parts of Aomori Prefecture for possible landslides.
In the 24 hours through Friday evening, up to 100 millimeters of rain is expected in Hokkaido, and 60 millimeters in northern Tohoku.