Record rains in southwestern Japan triggered landslides and flooding that killed at least 22 people, forced almost a quarter of a million to evacuate and disrupted transportation on the southern main island of Kyushu.
A record 20 inches of rain fell in 24 hours in Aso city, central Kyushu, and some parts of the island's north may see more than 3.5 inches of rain per hour today, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Five local railway lines on the island are stopped, while the high-speed mainline service was out of action for a time but has now resumed operation, according to the website of Kyushu Railway Co.
Rivers in the region including the Yamakuni flooded, and people living nearby are advised to evacuate, public broadcaster NHK reported. At least 246,000 people in Kyushu have been ordered to evacuate, according to NHK.
In addition to 22 people confirmed dead, eight are missing in northern Kyushu, Yomiuri news reported.
Oita governor Katsusada Hirose requested assistance from Japan's ground self-defence forces after the Kagetsu river flooded in Hita city, Kyodo news said.
Residents should move to the second floor of their homes or evacuate to shelters, according to an advisory on Hita's municipal website.
Bloomberg