TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan has issued its highest-level emergency warning for heavy rain and flooding in parts of central Japan, as record rainfall disrupted transportation, stranded commuters and raised concerns over further flooding and landslides.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Level 5 warning Tuesday evening for areas along the Shonai River in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, including Nagoya. The warning covered 14 cities and towns, urging residents to move to the safest available location, such as higher ground, a nearby tall building or the second floor or higher of their homes.
“It is necessary to ensure your safety by moving to higher ground that is less prone to flooding,” JMA chief forecaster Takuya Hosomi said during a news conference, as reported by The Japan Times.
The agency recorded a record 104.5 millimeters of rain in Nagoya in the hour through 4:53 p.m. Tuesday. In parts of the city, authorities warned people against lingering in underground areas because drainage systems could not keep up with the torrential rainfall, raising the risk of flooding in underpasses, underground shopping arcades and parking garages.
Images shared on social media showed cars navigating flooded roads with water rising to their doors. NHK also reported flooding in underpasses and other areas of Nagoya's Minato Ward, forcing some people to abandon their vehicles. Authorities said all occupants escaped on their own and no one was trapped.
Nagoya Declares Citywide Disaster Relief
The heavy rain continued to disrupt daily life in Nagoya into Wednesday.
According to The Mainichi, Nagoya decided to provide emergency relief across the city after a linear rainband brought record rainfall to the Tokai region. Transportation was paralyzed, leaving many commuters and students stranded overnight.
About 1,600 people had taken shelter at evacuation centers as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, while around 200 vehicles had been damaged by the rain as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, local authorities said.
Near Nagoya Station on Wednesday morning, some people headed to work after spending the night at temporary locations because they had been unable to return home. Among them was a 23-year-old woman from neighboring Kasugai who stayed overnight at a karaoke venue near the station with a friend.
More Heavy Rain Expected
The JMA warned that heavy rain could continue across wide areas of Japan through Thursday as an active weather front remains in place.
The agency said the front stretches along the Pacific coast of eastern and western Japan, while a tropical depression that developed from Typhoon Krovanh is moving northward south of Shikoku. Warm, moist air is flowing toward the front, which is expected to shift slightly southward and remain south of Honshu on Thursday.
The JMA also warned that linear rainbands could develop over the Tokai region and other areas, bringing prolonged periods of localized torrential rain.
Up to 200 millimeters of rain is forecast in the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Thursday in the Tokai and Kinki regions, while Shikoku could receive up to 150 mm. Up to 120 mm is expected in Kanto-Koshin, including Tokyo, and Hokuriku, while Tohoku could receive up to 80 mm.
The agency urged residents to remain vigilant against landslides, flooding and rising river levels. In the Tokai region, even relatively small amounts of additional rainfall could increase disaster risks because the ground has already been loosened by the heavy rain.
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