Typhoon downgraded to extra-tropical cyclone, heavy rain forecast for Tokai region

TOKYO -- Powerful Typhoon Prapiroon was downgraded to an extra-tropical cyclone on July 4 as it moved northeast above the Sea of Japan, while heavy rain is expected in the Tokai region in central Japan on July 5, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

Even though Prapiroon, this year's seventh typhoon, has been downgraded to an extra-tropical cyclone, heavy rain is forecasted in extensive areas on July 5, the JMA warned. A rain front that extends from a low pressure system will likely move southward while intensifying its activity, according to the agency. Warm and wet air is expected to blow toward the rain front from the south and destabilize the air, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to wide areas from western to northern Japan on July 5.

According to the JMA's Nagoya Local Meteorological Observatory, the amount of rain over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. on July 6 is estimated to be up to 300 to 400 millimeters in Gifu Prefecture, 200 to 300 millimeters in Aichi Prefecture and 100 to 200 millimeters in Mie Prefecture.

The rain front is expected to be stationary above areas near the Honshu main island until around July 8. The observatory also warns of landslides, swollen rivers and tornadoes.

Due to heavy rain, 183 national and public elementary and junior high schools and 22 public high schools were closed in Gifu Prefecture on July 4.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Maria was formed near the Mariana Islands, according to the JMA, and was moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour as of 9 a.m. on July 5. Its atmospheric pressure was 994 hectopascals and the typhoon was packing winds of up to 23 meters per second with a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 35 meters per second.

(Mainichi)