Up to 30,000 residents in two cities in central Japan have been ordered to evacuate as weather forecasters warn of major flooding due to persistent heavy rain.
The evacuation orders affect approximately 18,000 people in Wajima and another 12,000 in Suzu, both located in Ishikawa prefecture on Honshu island.
Images shared by Kyodo News depict entire streets submerged in water in Wajima, highlighting the severity of the situation. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a heavy rain emergency—the highest alert level—across parts of the prefecture, signalling the urgency of the threat.
According to government officials quoted by NHK, twelve rivers in Ishikawa prefecture have breached their banks, exacerbating concerns about flooding. This alarming weather event follows a recent history of natural disasters, as the region is still recovering from a deadly magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day.
Authorities are urging residents to seek shelter and take all necessary precautions as they brace for the potential impact of the flooding.
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