Flooding in Japan due to unusually heavy rains

Japan authorities have issued special weather warnings for Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures, north of Tokyo, after extreme torrential rains following Tropical Storm Etau. About 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and nearly 800,000 have been advised to evacuate.

The rain has been extremely heavy in and around the city of Nikkō, a popular tourist destination in Tochigi Prefecture. In Shizuoka Prefecture, flash floods and landslides were reported Tuesday in the city of Hamamatsu.

On Wednesday, landslide warnings were issued for parts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, including areas near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Heavy rains are expected to continue through early Friday, including over the Kanto and Tohoku regions of Japan, stretching from Tokyo northward to the northern end of Honshu.

Advice

Heavy rains continue to be in the forecast. Authorities are urging vigilance against mudslides and flooding. Travellers should avoid these areas.