Record heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, washing away bridges and cars and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people across parts of northern Japan, said officials and media reports on Friday (Jul&nbsp;26).

One person died and four are missing after the heavy downpours in Yamagata and Akita prefectures on the main island of Honshu.

Police reported that a 60-year-old man was missing after a landslide at roadworks in Yuzawa City, while an 86-year-old man was unaccounted for after last being seen on a riverbank in Akita City.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-french-high-speed-rail-network-sabotaged-ahead-of-paris-olympics-opening-ceremony-744333">French high-speed rail network sabotaged ahead of Olympics opening ceremony</a>

According to media reports, one body was found in Akita City.

A local official in Yamagata, where two rivers burst their banks, told AFP that "three people, including two police officers who were on a mission searching for a missing man, are unaccounted for."

Two parts of the Yamagata region experienced the highest 24-hour rainfall since records began in 1976, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Shinjo region&nbsp;recorded 389 millimetres and Sakata 289 millimetres.

Authorities issued evacuation orders to more than 200,000 people, Japan's&nbsp;fire and disaster management agency said.&nbsp;

Despite the severe conditions, at least 4,000 people evacuated to shelters, according to public broadcaster NHK.

At least 3,060 households were reported to be without power, while 1,100 had no running water.&nbsp;

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told&nbsp;reporters&nbsp;that some motorways have been closed in the area and Shinkansen bullet trains have suspended operations due to the heavy rainfall.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-gaemi-hits-china-displaces-nearly-300000-in-eastern-region-744390">Typhoon Gaemi hits China, displaces nearly 300,000 in eastern region</a>

Notably, Japan's weather agency earlier this week issued its highest emergency alert for heavy rains for Sakata and Yuza in the Yamagata region.

Later, the warning was downgraded by one notch in the country's five-tier warning system, but authorities urged the public to remain vigilant for potential landslides and flooding.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts around 100 to 200 millimetres of rain per day will continue for the next three days.

(With inputs from agencies)

Record heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, washing away bridges and cars and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people across parts of northern Japan, said officials and media reports on Friday (Jul 26).

Record heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, washing away bridges and cars and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people across parts of northern Japan, said officials and media reports on Friday (Jul 26). One person died and four are missing after the heavy downpours in Yamagata and Akita prefectures on the main island of Honshu. Police reported that a 60-year-old man was missing after a landslide at roadworks in Yuzawa City, while an 86-year-old man was unaccounted for after last being seen on a riverbank in Akita City. Also read: French high-speed rail network sabotaged ahead of Olympics opening ceremony According to media reports, one body was found in Akita City. A local official in Yamagata, where two rivers burst their banks, told AFP that "three people, including two police officers who were on a mission searching for a missing man, are unaccounted for." Two parts of the Yamagata region experienced the highest 24-hour rainfall since records began in 1976, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Friday. Meanwhile, the Shinjo region recorded 389 millimetres and Sakata 289 millimetres. Authorities issued evacuation orders to more than 200,000 people, Japan's fire and disaster management agency said. Despite the severe conditions, at least 4,000 people evacuated to shelters, according to public broadcaster NHK. At least 3,060 households were reported to be without power, while 1,100 had no running water. Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that some motorways have been closed in the area and Shinkansen bullet trains have suspended operations due to the heavy rainfall. Also read: Typhoon Gaemi hits China, displaces nearly 300,000 in eastern region Notably, Japan's weather agency earlier this week issued its highest emergency alert for heavy rains for Sakata and Yuza in the Yamagata region. Later, the warning was downgraded by one notch in the country's five-tier warning system, but authorities urged the public to remain vigilant for potential landslides and flooding. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts around 100 to 200 millimetres of rain per day will continue for the next three days. (With inputs from agencies)

At least one killed, thousands evacuated amid record rainfall in Japan

At least two were feared dead in central Japanese city of Atami due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, said public broadcaster NHK. Ground as well as drone footage showed half-submerged and collapsed houses as water rushed into the city with mud and debris.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has convened an emergency task force to tackle the crisis. He has asked people in the affected areas to remain on alert.

The floods are a reminder of the natural disasters - including earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami - that plague Japan, where the capital Tokyo is to host the summer Olympics starting this month.

Japan's military sent emergency rescuers to the city, where about 80 people are evacuated, NHK said.

Some 2,830 households in the area face power outages, it said, citing the Tokyo Electric Power.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least two were feared dead in central Japanese city of Atami due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, said public broadcaster NHK. Ground as well as drone footage showed half-submerged and collapsed houses as water rushed into the city with mud and debris.

At least two were feared dead in central Japanese city of Atami due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, said public broadcaster NHK. Ground as well as drone footage showed half-submerged and collapsed houses as water rushed into the city with mud and debris. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has convened an emergency task force to tackle the crisis. He has asked people in the affected areas to remain on alert. The floods are a reminder of the natural disasters - including earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami - that plague Japan, where the capital Tokyo is to host the summer Olympics starting this month. Japan's military sent emergency rescuers to the city, where about 80 people are evacuated, NHK said. Some 2,830 households in the area face power outages, it said, citing the Tokyo Electric Power. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese city battles with landslides after heavy rains

japan-rain

Japan Rain, News on Japan Rain, stories on Japan Rain, articles on Japan Rain, Japan Rain stories at Wion, Japan Rain news, Japan Rain latest news

japan rain

At least one killed, thousands evacuated amid record rainfall in Japan

Japanese city battles with landslides after heavy rains