Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, has issued the highest alert level, Level 5, due to heavy rainfall. The city is currently experiencing flooding. Japanese authorities issued evacuation advisories to nearly 200,000 residents in western Japan on Saturday, warning of potential landslides and flooding as heavy rainfall from a former tropical storm continues to impact the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the remnants of Typhoon Kong-rey, now downgraded to an extratropical low-pressure system, were causing severe weather conditions across the country.
According to the JMA, “warm, moist air… was causing heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in western Japan.” Kong-rey had been one of the largest storms to hit Taiwan in recent years, causing significant damage before moving towards Japan.
In the city of Matsuyama, officials issued Japan’s highest-level alert, urging 189,552 residents in ten districts to evacuate immediately and secure their safety. While the alert is not mandatory, it signifies a high probability that dangerous conditions, such as landslides or flooding, may have already occurred or are imminent.
Weather forecasters predict that western Japan will continue to face heavy rain and risk of landslides throughout Saturday, with eastern Japan expected to experience similar conditions by Sunday.
As a precaution, Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Fukuoka were temporarily suspended Saturday morning, resuming later on a delayed schedule.
Earlier in the week, Kong-rey battered Taiwan, claiming at least three lives and injuring nearly 700 people, according to the National Fire Agency. Widespread power outages left nearly one million households in the dark, with more than 27,000 still awaiting restoration.
Experts warn that human-driven climate change is intensifying risks from extreme rainfall, as warmer atmospheric temperatures increase moisture capacity, leading to heavier downpours and more frequent severe weather events.
Key Points:
- Evacuation Advisory: Nearly 200,000 residents in western Japan were advised to evacuate on Saturday due to risks of landslides and flooding from heavy rain brought by remnants of Typhoon Kong-rey.
- Weather Conditions: The Japan Meteorological Agency attributes the severe weather to “warm, moist air” from the downgraded storm, causing thunderstorms and heavy rain across western Japan.
- Top-Level Warning: The city of Matsuyama issued Japan’s highest-level alert, affecting 189,552 residents, urging them to secure safety immediately.
- Transport Disruptions: Shinkansen bullet trains were briefly suspended between Tokyo and Fukuoka due to the rain but resumed on a delayed schedule.
- Impact on Taiwan: Prior to reaching Japan, Kong-rey struck Taiwan, resulting in three fatalities, nearly 700 injuries, and extensive power outages affecting almost a million households.
- Climate Change Concerns: Scientists highlight that human-driven climate change may be worsening extreme rainfall, as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to increased risk of severe weather.
