Two individuals lose their lives amidst the intense rainfall in Japan's Kumamoto region.
Heavy Rain Disaster in Kumamoto Prefecture: At Least Six Confirmed Dead and Five Missing
Heavy rain in Kumamoto Prefecture has caused severe flooding, landslides, and extensive damage, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths and five missing persons as of mid-August 2025. Rescue efforts continue with thousands evacuated and emergency warnings issued at the highest level.
Kumamoto experienced record-breaking rainfall, with some areas receiving over 580 millimeters within a week and single-day records of 370 millimeters in six hours, far exceeding typical August averages. This intense rain caused rivers like the Saigo River to overflow, sweeping away people and vehicles.
The disaster has claimed the lives of at least six individuals, including a woman in her 70s who was found in a car in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto city, on Monday. She was later confirmed dead after being taken to a hospital in Yatsushiro. Her husband, a man in his 50s, was found outside the car in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and later confirmed dead. No other individuals were reported to be in the car at the time of the incident.
Another family of three, a woman, her daughter, and son, were rescued from a car hit by a landslide in Kumamoto's Kosa town on August 13. This is the sixth fatality reported in the heavy rain incident in Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures from August 12 to 14.
Five people are missing after being swept away by rivers in Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures. No new missing persons were reported as a result of this incident.
Authorities issued evacuation advisories and warnings to over 3 million people in Southwestern Kyushu, with approximately 384,000 residents, mostly in Kumamoto, under the highest-level alerts. Floodwaters submerged residential areas to up to one meter, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted transportation, including Shinkansen services on northern Kyushu routes.
Rescue workers are actively searching for missing persons, including those trapped under collapsed buildings or stranded by landslides. Some people have been rescued from mudslide sites and trapped homes, showing ongoing lifesaving operations despite the difficult conditions.
These events reflect the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather in Japan due to seasonal patterns and climate change, particularly in mountainous regions like Kumamoto where landslide risk is elevated. The Japanese government and local authorities continue to work tirelessly to provide aid and support to those affected by this disaster.
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