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Record rainfall causes floods, fatalities in Shimane, Yamaguchi

7 Comments

Police in Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures have reported that one person has died and two are missing amid the heaviest downpours on record over the weekend.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, one meteorological observation post in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, saw 138.5 millimeters of rain in a single hour between 11 a.m. and 12 noon Sunday. The agency said that the city saw the equivalent of the average rainfall for the entire month of July fall in half a day Sunday, TBS reported.

"This was rainfall unlike anything we've ever seen before," said an agency spokesperson.

Police received multiple reports of damage to property after the Abu River in Hagi burst its banks on Sunday afternoon. Among the damage caused by floodwaters, police say one entire community in Abu, situated on a level plain, was submerged in the torrent, causing its residents to be evacuated to public facilities.

A 79-year-old woman was confirmed dead Sunday after being discovered inside a house that was destroyed by mudslides in Hagi. An 84-year-old man was missing from the same region after being swept away near a river, local reports said, citing police and other official sources.

Also missing was a 24-year-old man who was last seen leaving his home in Shimane Prefecture.

Reports received so far suggest that six people were injured, according to TBS.

The Meteorological Agency warned of further floods and mudslides from "unprecedented heavy rain", saying the storm was to sweep over central Japan later Monday.

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7 Comments
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Saw the Tone river between Saitama and Gunma today it's pretty full.

1 ( +2 / -2 )

Shimane and Yamahuchi Prefectures are in Chugoku region . Usually peaceful and nice area

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Unfortunately,extremely heavy rainfall in one region of Japan does not necessarily mean an end to a water shortage in another region.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The rainfall is moving across Japan and expected to hit much of the Chugoku and Kanto areas tonight. Here in southern Yamaguchi, we had heavy rain but nothing that indicated the amount that fell in Hagi. RIP to those lost.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I hope my n laws are fine

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think the Water Officials in the Kanto Region can end the plan for water restrictions. I believe the drought is over.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I drove from Shimane to Kobe on that day and encountered heavy water on the roads. Glad I made it back safely.....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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