Over 120,000 individuals have been forced to flee in the southern regions of Japan
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Cause Emergency in Kirishima, Japan
Kirishima, Japan, has been hit by exceptionally heavy rain and thunderstorms since August 8, 2025, with record rainfall amounts reaching nearly 495 millimeters over 12 hours. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning, the highest level on their five-tier disaster alert system, for Kirishima and Kagoshima Prefecture.
The heavy rain has led to flooding, landslides, and collapsed houses. Two women were hospitalized after a house collapsed in Aira city, and two people were rescued following trucks falling from a damaged bridge in Kirishima, with another house reported collapsed. Approximately 40 people, including children, were temporarily isolated at a campsite due to road damage.
Emergency safety measures included evacuation advisories issued to over 360,000 people across Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures. Local authorities activated their highest alert levels, and the national government established a task force to coordinate emergency responses. Transportation was severely disrupted, halting trains, buses, and dozens of flights in and out of Kagoshima. About 450 homes lost electricity, and over 14,000 homes in Aira experienced water outages.
Meteorological predictions indicate that heavy rain and thunderstorms from a low-pressure system will continue through August 10th, maintaining a high risk of landslides, flooding, and related disasters. Officials urge residents to remain vigilant and take all precautions to protect life and property.
In a separate incident, Hong Kong's observatory issued a black rainstorm warning on August 6th. If not evacuated, people in Kirishima should not go outside and instead move to higher floors for safety. If a safe spot cannot be found on higher floors, people should find a safe spot in Kirishima. As of now, two people have been affected by the storm in Kirishima.
The heavy rain in Kirishima is equivalent to half a month's worth of rain falling in half a day. The reason for the evacuation was this unprecedented rainfall. The Labor Department in Hong Kong advised employers not to call staff in unless necessary on August 6th, but this advice does not apply to the evacuation situation in Kirishima.
Meteorologists predict thunderstorms and heavy rain in Kirishima will last until August 10th, and the situation in Kirishima remains dangerous due to the ongoing storm and heavy rain. Authorities have declared a level 5 danger in Kirishima, requiring immediate life-saving measures. Possible flooding was reported in Hong Kong on August 6th. The weather in Japan and Hong Kong are different on August 6th.
- The heavy rain and thunderstorms in Kirishima, Japan, have necessitated meteorological forecasting to predict their continuous duration through August 10th, heightening the risk of landslides, flooding, and related disasters.
- In light of the dangerous weather conditions in Kirishima, Japan, officials urge residents to stay indoors, find safe spots if necessary, and remain vigilant until the heavy rain and thunderstorms subside on the 10th of August.
