Rainstorm Alert Declared for Certain Sections of Kumamoto Province
Heavy Rain and Flooding Cause Chaos in Kumamoto, Japan
Kumamoto, Japan, is currently grappling with a severe flood situation, following record-breaking heavy rainfall that has caused extensive flooding, landslides, and significant disruptions. Over 3 million people in southwestern Kyushu, including Kumamoto Prefecture, have been issued evacuation advisories and warnings, with about 384,000 residents under the highest-level evacuation warning as of mid-August 2025.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of the potential for flooding and other disasters in the affected areas, particularly in the city of Tamana and the town of Nagasu, where 284.0 millimeters and 211.5 millimeters of rain fell over three hours, respectively, until midnight on Sunday. These figures are more than double the average August rainfall for Tamana and over three times the monthly average for Kumamoto prefecture as a whole.
In some areas, floodwaters have submerged houses, stores, and vehicles up to about 1 meter deep. Infrastructure such as roads and transport services, including Shinkansen lines, have been heavily affected.
Unfortunately, fatalities and missing persons have been reported due to flooding and landslides. At least six deaths and five missing individuals have been confirmed, including those swept away by rivers or trapped following mudslides.
Rescue efforts continue amid challenging conditions, with emergency teams attempting to reach trapped residents, especially in landslide-affected areas such as Kosa town and Misato. The JMA initially issued a level-5 heavy rain emergency warning—the highest on its scale—for multiple cities and towns, including Tamana and Nagasu. Although some alerts have been downgraded as of midweek, authorities warn the ground remains unstable, posing ongoing landslide risks.
Authorities have urged immediate evacuation in affected areas and continue to monitor rainfall closely. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency coordinates warnings and advises high vigilance. Government resources have been mobilized under orders from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to assess damage and support rescue operations.
Transport suspensions and disruptions remain in place as flooding affects rail lines in Kyushu and neighboring regions. These extreme rainfall and flood events are becoming more frequent due to complex seasonal weather patterns and climate change impacts, especially in mountainous and vulnerable areas like Kumamoto.
In summary, Kumamoto faces critical flood and landslide hazards with ongoing evacuation and emergency response efforts focused on protecting millions of residents as heavy rains ease but leave unstable conditions. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The media has been covering the ongoing flood and landslide situation in Kumamoto, Japan, resulting from excessive rainfall, with environmental scientists expressing concerns about the impact of such weather events on the vulnerable area, especially in the mountainous regions, due to the influence of complex seasonal weather patterns and climate change.
The Japan Meteorological Agency, in its efforts to support the emergency response, continues to monitor the weather in the affected areas to provide accurate predictions and prevent future disasters.
