Japan: Tropical Storm Maria tracking northwestward across Iwate Prefecture as of early Aug. 12 /update 5

Tropical Storm Maria is tracking northwestward across Iwate Prefecture early Aug. 12 following landfall near the city of Ofunato around 08:30 JST. As of 12:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 161 km (100 miles) south-southeast of Misawa, Aomori Prefecture.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will weaken as it tracks northwestward across southern Iwate and central and northern Akita prefectures and exits into the Sea of Japan late Aug. 12. The storm will likely weaken further into a tropical depression as it tracks north-northwestward across the Sea of Japan and dissipate just west of Hokkaido Prefecture late Aug. 13. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Aug. 12, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a bulletin warning of heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, and rough seas across parts of the Tohoku Region through Aug. 13; landslides, flooding, and river overflows are possible during the passing of the storm. 24-hour rainfall totals of 20 cm (8 inches) are forecast over the Tohoku region Aug. 12 and 15 cm (6 inches) Aug. 13. Winds gusting up to 126 kph (78 miles), and waves up to 7 meters (23 feet) feet are possible in parts of the region over the coming days.

As of early Aug. 12, the JMA has issued the following warnings and advisories across the Tohoku Region:

• Purple heavy rain/landslide warnings(the second highest level on a four-tier scale): coast of Iwate Prefecture.

• Red heavy rain/landslide and flood warnings: Iwate Prefecture.

• Red storm warnings: Across Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, and western Yamagata prefectures.

• Red high wave warnings: Parts of the coasts of eastern Aomori, far southwestern Hokkaido, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures.

• Yellow warnings: Across most of the rest of northern Japan.

Authorities will likely issue new warnings or update existing advisories throughout the system's progression in the coming days.

Due to the approaching adverse weather, authorities have issued black emergency safety evacuation orders (the highest level on a five-tier scale) to 8,300 people in the Osanai and Kokuji districts of Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, due to the risk of flooding of the Osanai River following an emergency water release from Taki Dam. Purple evacuation orders are in place for Miyako and Rikuzentakata cities, Hirono, Iwaizumi, Ootsuchi, and Yamada towns, and Fudai, Noda, and Tanohata villages in Iwate Prefecture as well as Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture and Sakegawa Village in Yamagata Prefecture. Red evacuation orders for the elderly and vulnerable have been issued across parts of Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures. Reports indicate that several buildings in the Takusuri District of Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, have been flooded.

Japan Airlines (JL) and All Nippon Airways (NH) have canceled dozens of flights connecting Haneda Airport HND) in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka with Tohoku Region as of early Aug. 12; further cancellations and delays are likely over the coming days. The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has warned of likely delays and cancellations on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, and Akita Shinkansen lines from Aug. 12. The Shinkansen lines are operating normally as of early Aug. 12, but other trains have been suspended Aug. 12, including all conventional lines in the Tohoku region and the Tohoku Main Line between Iwakiri Station in Sendai Prefecture and Kitakami Station in Iwate Prefecture. The Sanriku Expressway is closed in both directions between the Tanohata Chuo Interchange and the Fudai Interchange and between the Yamada Minami Interchange and the Miyako Minami Interchange in Iwate Prefecture. Authorities have warned that some sections of the Tohoku, Joban, and Kamaishi expressways as well as Sanriku Coastal Road, may be closed through Aug. 13. The Pacific Ferry, which connects Sendai Port with Tomakomai Port and Nagoya Port, has canceled some sailings Aug. 11-12.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.