WORLD
More heavy rain expected in many parts of Japan
Baku, August 16, AZERTAC
Rain has been falling in wide areas of western and eastern Japan on Sunday due to a seasonal front hovering over the country, according to NHK WORLD-JAPAN.
Intermittent rain is continuing along the Pacific coast on Sunday evening.
Total rainfall since Wednesday has been more than triple the average amount for the month of August in some areas.
A landslide swept away five people in the city of Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, early Sunday morning. Two of them were rescued and three were later confirmed dead.
Mudslide alerts were issued for Saga, Fukuoka, Gifu, Shizuoka, Nagano, Yamanashi, Chiba and Fukushima Prefectures.
The front is expected to move north between Monday and Tuesday, dumping more rain over wide areas of western and eastern Japan.
Weather officials predict that in the 24 hours through Monday evening, up to 180 millimeters of rain could fall in Kyushu.
In the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, between 100 and 200 millimeters of rain are expected in Kyushu, between 100 and 150 millimeters in the Shikoku and Chugoku regions, and between 50 and 100 millimeters in the Kinki, Tokai and Hokuriku regions.
The front is likely to linger until Friday.
Weather officials are urging caution for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.