Japan: Flooding and landslides leave at least 85 dead as of July 8 /update 6

Event

Heavy rains have lashed western Japan in recent days, causing flooding and landslides which have left at least 85 people dead and dozens of others missing as of Sunday, July 8. Among the areas most severely affected by the flooding and landslides have been Hiroshima prefecture (37 people killed) and Ehime prefecture (21 people killed); weather-related deaths have also been reported in Okayama, Hyogo, Kyoto, Shiga, Fukuoka, Kochi, Gifu, Yamaguchi, and Saga prefectures.

Some 2 million people have also been ordered to evacuate affected areas. In parts of western Japan, roads remained closed to traffic and rail transportation services were suspended on Sunday; however, Shinkansen high-speed rail service has resumed limited operations after being suspended on Friday, July 6. Heavy rain and flood warnings and advisories remain in place for parts of Shikoku, Kyushu, and western Honshu islands as of the morning of Monday, July 9 (local time), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Additional flooding and landslides, as well as consequent transportation disruptions and further evacuation orders, are possible in affected areas in the coming hours and days.

Advice

Individuals present in or traveling to Japan are advised to monitor weather conditions, be prepared for transportation disruptions, and obey any instructions issued by the local authorities (i.e. evacuation orders). Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock an adult over.