Emergency warning lifted, but caution continues

Jul 08 (NHK) - Record rainfall has caused floods and landslides over a wide area from Kyushu to Tokai.

Weather officials have lifted emergency warnings issued for Kochi and Ehime Prefectures, but are calling for continued caution against floods and landslides.

The Meteorological Agency says a seasonal rain front has become active around the main island of Honshu, bringing record downpours.

Up to three times the average monthly rainfall has fallen so far in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, Shikokuchuo City in Ehime Prefecture, Hiroshima City and Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.

In Gujo, over 1,000 millimeters of rain has fallen since Tuesday.

The risk of mudslides continues to be high.

Mudslide alert information has been issued for places in Gifu, Ehime, Kochi, Kyoto, Hyogo, Hiroshima, Tokushima, Yamaguchi and Kagoshima Prefectures.

Thunder storms may bring torrential rains of more than 50 millimeters per hour in Kyushu and Shikoku on Sunday night.

The agency is calling on people in disaster stricken areas to keep safe, and those in other areas where heavy rains are falling to stay on high alert.

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