Highest heavy rain warning issued in central Japan, mudslides reported

TOKYO – Japan’s weather agency issued on Aug 30 a special heavy rain warning for some areas in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan.Around 244,000 people have been urged to take emergency safety measures amid reports of mudslides and vehicles stranded on flooded roads.The Level 5 warning is the highest for heavy rain, indicating that a disaster has likely occurred or is imminent, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It covers the cities of Fukui, Ono and Katsuyama.Around 111,000 people in five municipalities have been urged to evacuate, according to the internal affairs ministry.Live footage provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism shows rivers swollen by heavy rain.The ministry may take the emergency step of discharging water from a dam in Sakai to secure more room as water levels are rising.In the 24 hours to the morning of Aug 30, Katsuyama, Sakai and Fukui received a record rainfall of over 300mm.The weather agency has warned that it may issue a special heavy rain warning for more areas.Heavy rain is forecast for western to eastern Japan on Aug 30 as atmospheric conditions are unstable. KYODO NEWS