12 Aug 2022 | 03:13 AM UTC
Japan: Disruptions due to adverse weather ongoing across northern regions as of early Aug. 12 /update 5
Evacuations due to adverse weather ongoing in parts of northern Japan as of early Aug. 12. Further adverse weather forecast.
Event
Severe weather is causing disruptions across parts of northern Japan as of early Aug. 12. Authorities have issued evacuation orders to more than 48,000 people across Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, and Niigata prefectures due to the risk of landslides and flooding. Officials may issue additional evacuation orders if weather conditions persist or worsen.
Authorities have reported one fatality after a vehicle overturned on a collapsed road in Minami Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture, early Aug. 8. Authorities have also reported seven injured people in Ishikawa Prefecture, two in Niigata Prefecture, and one missing person in Yamagata Prefecture amid heavy rains across much of the country since Aug. 3. More than 4,760 homes have been damaged across 14 prefectures in central and northern Japan. Water supply has been disrupted to around 100 homes in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture, since Aug. 5 due to a landslide.
Further heavy rainfall and associated flooding and landslides are forecast across parts of northern Japan over the coming days. The current active weather front over northern Japan is forecast to stall over the region through at least Aug. 15, bringing extremely heavy downpours to the region. Rainfall totals of around 18 cm (7 inches) are forecast over Tohuku Aug. 12 and 6 cm (2.5 inches) over Hokkaido.
As of early Aug. 12, the Japan Meteorological Administration has issued the following warnings:
Purple heavy rain and landslides warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Akita, western Aomori, and western Iwate prefectures.
Red heavy rain, landslides, and flood warnings: southern Hokkaido Prefecture.
Yellow heavy rain, thunderstorms, flooding, gale, and landslide advisories: across much of the rest of the affected area.
Authorities will likely issue new warnings or update existing advisories in the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides remain possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region.
Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations or close beach fronts if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.
Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions where flooding has been forecast. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
