Torrential Rain Batters North-Central Japan, Triggering Floods and Landslides
Severe flooding and landslides in Japan's Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures strand residents, close roads, and cut power to over 1,000 homes.
Torrential rain lashed Japan's north-central prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday, unleashing severe flooding and landslides that closed roads and left people trapped in homes and vehicles.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level heavy rain warning for parts of both prefectures, urging residents to take immediate precautions against the threats of flooding and landslides. Forecasters predicted up to 20 centimeters of rain in the Kaga and Noto areas through Friday morning.
Local authorities advised more than 380,000 residents to move to safer ground. Footage from public broadcaster NHK showed relief workers wading through knee-high water in Himi city, Toyama prefecture, using rubber boats to rescue stranded residents. Several vehicles that had stalled in flooded streets were abandoned.
In neighboring Ishikawa prefecture, officials reported that 270 homes across three municipalities were inundated, though no injuries were recorded. The heavy downpour also triggered landslides and forced road closures in the region.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed that several rivers had overflowed in both prefectures, flooding many homes, but noted there were no reported injuries. Utility company Hokuriku Electric Power reported power outages affecting more than 1,000 households in the area.
The latest deluge follows a deadly weather event earlier this month in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, where heavy rain and widespread flooding claimed 13 lives.