'Unprecedented' heavy rain in Japan, tens of thousands asked to evacuate

One person was killed, two injured and at least seven missing in Ishikawa on Thursday, officials said, according to AFP. NHK television earlier reported three people missing in Ishikawa, including two swept away by strong currents.

Land Ministry official Masaru Kojima said 12 rivers in the area, located on the west coast of central Japan, broke their banks at 11 a.m. (local time), according to AFP.

A flooded area in Wajima city, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan on September 21.

Ishikawa authorities said many buildings were flooded and landslides blocked some main roads. Officials added that the cities of Wajima and Suzu as well as the town of Noto had ordered about 44,700 residents to evacuate.

Another 16,700 residents in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures in northern Ishikawa were also asked to evacuate, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Officials said about 6,600 households in the area were without power this afternoon and communications services were cut off for some.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued its highest-level warning for Ishikawa, warning of a "life-threatening situation".

Speaking to reporters, JMA forecaster Satoshi Sugimoto said the warned areas were seeing "heavy rain at an unprecedented level" and "it is a situation where people must secure their safety immediately".

More than 120 mm of rain per hour was recorded in Wajima in the morning, marking the heaviest downpour since comparable data began in 1929. Images broadcast by NHK showed an entire street in Wajima submerged.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had instructed officials to "make every effort in disaster management with saving lives as the top priority." He added that Self-Defense Forces personnel had been dispatched to Ishikawa to join rescue efforts.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mua-lon-chua-tung-co-o-nhat-hang-chuc-ngan-nguoi-duoc-yeu-cau-so-tan-185240921165427809.htm