Torrential downpours in the southern region of Japan trigger flooding and landslides, with numerous individuals reported as missing
In the heart of Japan, the southern island of Kyushu is grappling with a critical situation due to intense floods and mudslides caused by an unyielding low-pressure system. This system has brought record-breaking rainfall, particularly in Kumamoto Prefecture, with over 370 mm falling in just 6 hours, more than doubling the monthly average for August[1][4].
The aftermath has been devastating. At least several people are missing, including a family of three caught in a mudslide while driving to an evacuation center, with two rescued but one still missing[1][3][5]. Over 3 million residents in Kyushu are under evacuation advisories or orders, with 384,000 under the highest-level warnings mostly in Kumamoto Prefecture[1][4].
Rivers like the Saigo and Sakai have overflowed, with multiple people swept away or missing[5]. The floodwaters have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, leaving roads submerged or washed out, vehicles swept away, and about 6,000 households without power in Kumamoto[2][3][4]. Train services, including bullet trains between Kagoshima and Hakata, have been disrupted[2][3].
Local government and rescue agencies are working tirelessly to conduct search and rescue operations, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urging maximum caution[3]. Rescue workers are searching for three people who were hit by a mudslide while driving to an evacuation center in Kumamoto[1].
Despite the Japan Meteorological Agency downgrading the extreme heavy rain warning for Kumamoto Prefecture from the highest alert level 5 to levels 2-3, the ground remains unstable, increasing landslide risk[4]. Additional rain is expected, so evacuation advisories remain in place.
The floods are causing significant travel disruption, with flights, bullet trains, and local trains in Kyushu cancelled or delayed. Travelers are advised to reconsider plans and follow official evacuation and safety information closely[2][3].
Television footage shows muddy water gushing down, carrying broken trees and branches, and residents wading through knee-deep floodwater[6]. The torrential rain has caused flooding and mudslides across Kyushu, impacting the region during Japan's Buddhist "bon" holiday week[7].
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is supporting search and rescue operations for the missing and helping others in affected areas[8]. The rain has left one person missing and four others injured in the prefecture of Kagoshima, and two other people are missing elsewhere in Kumamoto[9].
As Kyushu continues to battle the floodwaters and mudslides, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of its residents. The ongoing emergency underscores the importance of heeding evacuation advisories and prioritizing actions to save lives.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/world/asia/japan-floods.html [2] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/01/national/japan-floods-kyushu/#.YzP5Xc97zIU [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62414958 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-issues-new-evacuation-orders-as-flood-waters-rise-2025-08-01/ [5] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/08/japan-floods-leave-dozens-missing-thousands-evacuated-202581934924547.html [6] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/asia/japan-floods-intl/index.html [7] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/01/national/japan-floods-kyushu/#.YzP5Xc97zIU [8] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62414958 [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-issues-new-evacuation-orders-as-flood-waters-rise-2025-08-01/
- The world news has reported an ongoing emergency in the southern island of Kyushu, Japan, due to intense floods and mudslides.
- Besides the immediate loss of life, the floodwaters have disrupted general-news aspects such as travel, with flights, bullet trains, and local trains cancelled or delayed.
- In addition to the impact on the world of travel, floods and mudslides in Kyushu have also washed away parts of the local infrastructure, including roads and vehicles.
- The weather conditions have not only affected physical infrastructure but have also influenced the art world, withTV footage showing muddy water gushing down, carrying broken trees and branches, and residents wading through knee-deep floodwater.
