Torrential rain hitting Kagoshima, risk of disasters may rise

Weather officials in Japan are warning that torrential rain may heighten the risk of disasters in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says warm humid air is flowing into a low pressure system with a front. This has made atmospheric conditions unstable and caused localized rain clouds to develop in the southern part of the Kyushu region.

In the hour through 5 a.m. on Wednesday, 34.5 millimeters of heavy rain fell in Kanoya City in Kagoshima. The officials say the prefecture is expected to receive localized heavy rain with lightning through Wednesday evening.

The agency says bands of heavy rain clouds may form through evening in Kagoshima Prefecture including the Amami region. This may rapidly increase the risk of disasters such as flooding and landslides.

Up to 150 millimeters of rain is expected in the prefecture in the 24 hours through Thursday morning. The amount of rain may increase if bands of heavy rain clouds form.

The agency is calling on people to stay on the alert against landslides, and watch out for flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers, lightning strikes and strong gusts of wind.

Nhk