JMA predicts heavy rain in western, eastern Japan, warns of landslides

TOKYO -- Japan's weather agency on July 24 warned of heavy rain in western Japan through July 26 and in eastern Japan from the evening of July 24 through July 26 as a seasonal rain front and low-pressure system create extremely unstable weather conditions.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said localized thunderstorms accompanied by extremely heavy rain were expected in the northern Kyushu region in southwestern Japan, and warned of an increased threat of landslides. The agency also called for residents to be on their guard against flooding in low-lying areas, and river overflows.

The seasonal rain front has extended from the Tsushima Strait between South Korea and Japan through to eastern Japan, and a strong low-pressure system over the Yellow Sea above the front is heading east. The low-pressure system is expected to travel towards the Korean Peninsula from the Yellow Sea through July 25, and the seasonal front is likely to hang over the area from western Japan to eastern Japan and the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan through July 26.

Over the 24-hour period up until 6 a.m. on July 25, the agency predicted that up to 300 millimeters of rain could fall in the northern and southern Kyushu regions; 250 millimeters in the Shikoku region in western Japan; 200 millimeters in the Chugoku region also in western Japan; and 100 millimeters in the Hokuriku and Tokai regions in central Japan, and the Kinki region in western Japan.

(Mainichi)