Almost a quarter of a million people were ordered
to leave their homes in southwest Japan Saturday as heavy rain pounded
the area for the third day, with 20 already dead, officials and reports
said.Japan Meteorological Agency warned of more landslides and
floods on the main southern island of Kyushu as rainfall of up to 11
centimetres (4.3 inches) per hour was recorded early Saturday.
Evacuation orders had been issued to about 240,000 people in the north of Kyushu where more rivers burst their banks, public broadcaster NHK and Jiji Press news agency reported, compiling figures from various authorities. They were told to go to designated shelters such as schools and other public facilities, while more people were advised to leave their homes. Television footage showed torrents of muddy, debris-strewn water and flooded houses following what officials described as “unprecedented” downpours from a weather front on Thursday.Along the Yamakuni river in Oita prefecture, water was seen reaching the roof of a riverside drive-in restaurant. More than 75 centimetres of rain fell in 72 hours in the inland city of Aso, the meteorological agency said. The death toll remained at 20 overnight and seven missing, with 19 of the fatalities from landslides and house collapses in and near Aso. At least 20 people are dead and 7 missing in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in what weather officials say is unprecedented heavy rain.About 40,000 people have been advised to evacuate in Hita and Taketa cities, Oita Prefecture as rivers are threatening to flood. Kumamoto Prefecture, about 11,000 households in Aso City and 4,000 families in other areas have been warned to evacuate.In the northern Kyushu prefecture of Saga, about 44,000 people were advised to depart by local authorities.In Fukuoka Prefecture, nearly 8,000 people have been urged to leave.
The intense rain caused by an active front has brought more than 650 millimeters of rain in some areas of Kyushu since Wednesday. Weather officials note this amount of rain has not been seen before in such a short period of time.The officials say additional precipitation is likely to total as high as 250 millimeters through Saturday afternoon. They warn of a high risk of floods and landslides in areas with saturated ground.Media agencies
Evacuation orders had been issued to about 240,000 people in the north of Kyushu where more rivers burst their banks, public broadcaster NHK and Jiji Press news agency reported, compiling figures from various authorities. They were told to go to designated shelters such as schools and other public facilities, while more people were advised to leave their homes. Television footage showed torrents of muddy, debris-strewn water and flooded houses following what officials described as “unprecedented” downpours from a weather front on Thursday.Along the Yamakuni river in Oita prefecture, water was seen reaching the roof of a riverside drive-in restaurant. More than 75 centimetres of rain fell in 72 hours in the inland city of Aso, the meteorological agency said. The death toll remained at 20 overnight and seven missing, with 19 of the fatalities from landslides and house collapses in and near Aso. At least 20 people are dead and 7 missing in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in what weather officials say is unprecedented heavy rain.About 40,000 people have been advised to evacuate in Hita and Taketa cities, Oita Prefecture as rivers are threatening to flood. Kumamoto Prefecture, about 11,000 households in Aso City and 4,000 families in other areas have been warned to evacuate.In the northern Kyushu prefecture of Saga, about 44,000 people were advised to depart by local authorities.In Fukuoka Prefecture, nearly 8,000 people have been urged to leave.
The intense rain caused by an active front has brought more than 650 millimeters of rain in some areas of Kyushu since Wednesday. Weather officials note this amount of rain has not been seen before in such a short period of time.The officials say additional precipitation is likely to total as high as 250 millimeters through Saturday afternoon. They warn of a high risk of floods and landslides in areas with saturated ground.Media agencies
Comments
Post a Comment