Authorities in western Japan have urged nearly 200,000 residents to evacuate as heavy rains and the remnants of Tropical Storm Kong-rey raise the risk of landslides and flooding.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that “warm, moist air” is causing severe weather conditions, with thunderstorms affecting the region.
In Matsuyama City, officials issued a top-level warning, advising 189,552 residents across ten districts to evacuate and secure their safety. While the evacuation is not mandatory, such warnings indicate a high likelihood of imminent disaster.
Forecasters warned that landslides and flooding could impact western Japan on Saturday, with eastern Japan expected to face similar threats on Sunday. In response to the severe weather, shinkansen bullet trains were briefly suspended between Tokyo and the southern Fukuoka region, though services have since resumed with delays.
Kong-rey struck Taiwan earlier this week as one of the largest storms in decades, resulting in at least two fatalities and widespread power outages affecting tens of thousands of households. Experts note that climate change is exacerbating the risks associated with heavy rainfall, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.
