Record levels of rainfall across northern Kyushu have caused widespread damage and disruption. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue today (July 7), especially in Northern Kyushu. Kitakyushu and its surrounding areas are of particular concern, however heavy rain could fall anywhere in Northern Kyushu this morning. Six people are reported to have died in what have been described as the kind of extreme weather conditions only experienced once every few decades. A number of individuals who were reported missing have been located, but 19 people currently remain unaccounted for as of 10am today. The storms are not related to a relatively small typhoon that hit Kyushu last week. Instead they been attributed in part to a stagnant weather front and the high temperature of the sea surface in the south of Japan.
Asakura and Hita City have been two of the worst affected areas. In the space of two days, 590.5 mm of rain fell in Asakura City and 409.5 mm in Hita City. At one point 11 districts in Hita City, as well as a total of 600 people across Asakura City and Toho Village, were said to be isolated because of the extreme conditions. A railway bridge over the Kagetsugawa River in Hita City was also washed away.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has lowered the emergency warning level in most areas, but harsh weather conditions are expected to persist. Heavy storms and as much as 50 mm of rain per hour are expected at certain points throughout the day. Parts of Northern Kyushu are expected to see around 250 mm of rainfall across the day, while some areas in southern Kyushu are likely to experience around 150 mm. In Fukuoka Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, and Kumamoto Prefecture, the risk of landslides has dramatically increased, while the risk of flooding is seen as very high in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture due to the rising river levels. Disturbances are expected on train lines, while the Japan Automobile Federation has also spoken about the dangers of driving in these conditions. Low visibility, as well as the possibility of roads and underpasses flooding have been pinpointed as potential hazards for drivers.
Graphic shows currently valid warnings/advisories for Northern Kyushu as of 11:32 am, July 7, 2017. Source: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/214.html
Sources: Asahi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun and NHK
