Sea of Japan: Tropical Storm Maria tracking north-northwestward off Akita Prefecture as of late Aug. 12 /update 6

Tropical Storm Maria is tracking north-northwestward in the Sea of Japan off Akita Prefecture late Aug. 12 after making landfall near the city of Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, around 08:30 JST and tracking across Tohoku Region. As of 21:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 119 km (74 miles) west of Misawa, Aomori Prefecture.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will weaken into a tropical depression as it tracks northwestward in the Sea of Japan late Aug. 12-early Aug. 13 before weakening further and dissipating as it turns to track northward and then southeastward Aug. 13-early Aug. 14. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of late Aug. 12, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a bulletin warning of further heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, and rough seas across parts of Tohoku and Hokkaido regions through Aug. 14; landslides, flooding, and river overflows are possible during the passing of the storm. 24-hour rainfall totals of 15 cm (6 inches) are forecast over Hokkaido Region and 12 cm (5 inches) over Tohoku Region late Aug. 12-13, and totals of 12 cm (5 inches) over Hokkaido Region and 10 cm over Tohoku Region are expected late Aug. 13-14. Winds gusting up to 108 kph (67 miles) and waves up to 5 meters (16 feet) are possible in parts of the affected regions over the coming days.

As of late Aug. 12, the JMA has issued the following warnings and advisories across Tohoku and Hokkaido regions:

• Red heavy rain/landslide and flood warnings(the second lowest level on a four-tier scale): Inland and northern coastal areas of Iwate Prefecture.

• Red storm/gale warnings: Coastal areas of Akita Prefecture.

• Yellow heavy rainfall, landslide, and flood warnings: Iburi Region in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Akita, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow storm/gale warnings: Hidaka, Iburi, and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Aomori and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow high wave warnings: Hidaka, Iburi, Oshima, and Tockachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Hiyama, Iburi, Ishikari, Oshima, and Shiribeshi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Akita, Aomori, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow dense fog warnings: Across much of Hokkaido Prefecture and Aomori and Iwate Prefectures in Tohoku Region.

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

Evacuation orders affecting thousands of people were issued by authorities during the passing of the storm; however, many have been lifted as of late Aug. 12. Purple evacuation orders (the second highest level on a five-tier scale) remain in effect for parts of Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, Miyako City and Iwaizumi Town in Iwate Prefecture, and Sakegawa Village in Yamagata Prefecture. Red evacuation orders for the elderly and other vulnerable people remain in effect for some locations in Iwate Prefecture. Some flooding and storm damage have been reported in Miyako City, Hanamaki City, Kuji City, and Iwaizumi Town in Iwate Prefecture as of late Aug. 12. No casualties have been confirmed. 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. The Kamaishi Expressway is closed in both directions between the Kamaishi Junction and the Kamaishi Sennin Toge Interchange.

Japan Airlines (JL) and All Nippon Airways (NH) canceled dozens of flights connecting Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka with Tohoku Region as of Aug. 12. The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) warned of likely delays and cancellations on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, and Akita Shinkansen lines Aug. 12. Air and rail services are largely expected to resume normal operations from Aug. 13. The Pacific Ferry, which connects Sendai Port with Tomakomai Port and Nagoya Port, 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.