AUTHORITIES on Friday ordered the evacuation of 8,000 residents as torrential rains triggered floods and landslides in Northern and Central Japan.

The city of Nanao issued evacuation orders to about 8,000 residents as the region’s Kumaki River flooded in the morning.

More than 1,000 people were ordered to leave in the prefecture of Yamagata.

A seasonal rain front dumped heavy rain in the prefectures of Yamagata and Ishikawa, with rainfall of 71m in the hour until 11 a.m. in Shika and 53m Nanao, both in Ishikawa, broadcaster NHK reported.

The Meteorological Agency warned of mudslides, flooding and swollen rivers.

Rainfall of up to 180m is forecast for the north-east and the Hokuriku region and up to 120m for the Chugoku region in western Japan by morning on Saturday, the agency said.

In July, heavy rains battered western Japan, causing massive floods and landslides that killed more than 220 people, destroyed homes and roads. (dpa/NAN)

– Aug. 31, 2018 @ 9:20 GMT |