Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Additional Kumamoto Regions
Heavy Flooding Hits Kumamoto Prefecture: Emergency Measures Implemented
Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan is currently grappling with severe flooding due to heavy rain, prompting local authorities to issue emergency safety measures in several municipalities and towns.
The cities of Tamana and Nagasu received the warning at 12:20 a.m., with the cities of Yatsushiro and Uki, the town of Hikawa, the city of Kamiamakusa, and the city of Amakusa following suit at 5:25 a.m., 8:10 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 9:15 a.m., respectively. The towns of Misato and Gyokuto have also been included in the areas under the highest level of emergency safety measures.
The Japan Meteorological Agency's Forecast Division, headed by Director Shuichi Tachihara, has activated the highest level of disaster alert in these affected areas. This level indicates that a disaster is likely to have already occurred.
The heavy rain has been lashing the northern part of the Kyushu region, including Kumamoto, leading to record rainfall amounts. For instance, Tamana city experienced 404 mm of rain in 12 hours, a record for the area. Rainfall totals in Kumamoto Prefecture have exceeded three times the average monthly August rainfall, reaching up to 581 mm in some locations.
This deluge has resulted in severe flooding, with rivers surging and submerging houses to about one meter of water. Infrastructure such as roads and transport systems, including Shinkansen services, have been heavily disrupted or suspended. Additionally, the heavy rains have caused numerous landslides, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and missing persons. The ground instability remains a major risk even after some downgrade of rain warnings.
In response to this crisis, residents under the highest-level evacuation warnings are urged to evacuate immediately due to the high possibility of flooding, landslides, and other disasters. Even where emergency warnings have been downgraded, authorities caution that risks remain because wet ground may lead to further landslides.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency and local governments are actively coordinating evacuations for tens of thousands of people and monitoring the situation closely. Residents are also advised to avoid non-essential travel due to hazardous conditions and disrupted transport.
In a press conference held by Shuichi Tachihara, the need for immediate action to ensure resident safety was emphasized. The Japan Meteorological Agency expanded its heavy rain emergency warning to more areas of Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Monday morning.
Residents are strongly urged to follow evacuation orders without delay and stay updated through official channels as heavy rain and associated disaster risks continue.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency is sharing frequent weather-forecasting updates on the heavy rain in Kumamoto Prefecture to aid media in disseminating critical safety information to residents.
- In the midst of this disaster, continually updating photos of flooded towns and infrastructure disruptions could serve as a crucial record for the future weather-related media reports in Kumamoto Prefecture.
