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.

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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;

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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

Japan ordered nearly 800,000 people on the southern island of Kyushu to take shelter in evacuation centres and other safe areas on Wednesday as heavy rains threatened to trigger landslides and cause other damage.

Some parts of southern Kyushu have received up to 1,000 mm (39.4 inches) of rain since Friday, and forecasters expect as much as 350 mm to fall in some areas by midday on Thursday, NHK said.

Evacuation orders were issued for nearly 600,000 residents of Kagoshima city and two smaller cities in the same prefecture, the broadcaster said.

Another 310,000 residents of the island were advised to find shelter, Kyodo News reported.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said residents should "take steps to protect their lives, including early evacuation" and he ordered the military to prepare for rescue operations if needed.

Abe was criticised for the government's slow response last July when heavy rains triggered landslides and floods, killing more than 200 people in Japan's worst weather disaster in 36 years.

Japan ordered nearly 800,000 people on the southern island of Kyushu to take shelter in evacuation centres and other safe areas on Wednesday as heavy rains threatened to trigger landslides and cause other damage.

Japan ordered nearly 800,000 people on the southern island of Kyushu to take shelter in evacuation centres and other safe areas on Wednesday as heavy rains threatened to trigger landslides and cause other damage. Some parts of southern Kyushu have received up to 1,000 mm (39.4 inches) of rain since Friday, and forecasters expect as much as 350 mm to fall in some areas by midday on Thursday, NHK said. Evacuation orders were issued for nearly 600,000 residents of Kagoshima city and two smaller cities in the same prefecture, the broadcaster said. Another 310,000 residents of the island were advised to find shelter, Kyodo News reported. In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said residents should "take steps to protect their lives, including early evacuation" and he ordered the military to prepare for rescue operations if needed. Abe was criticised for the government's slow response last July when heavy rains triggered landslides and floods, killing more than 200 people in Japan's worst weather disaster in 36 years.

Japan, hit by torrential rains, orders 800,000 to evacuate

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

Japan, hit by torrential rains, orders 800,000 to evacuate