Downpours to pound much of Japan overnight

Jul 27 (NHK) - Intermittent bouts of torrential rain continue to pound wide areas of Japan.

Weather officials say 42 millimeters of rain was recorded between 2 and 3 p.m. in Yokote City in the northern prefecture of Akita. In the same period, 31 millimeters was recorded in Otoyo Town in the southwestern prefecture of Kochi.

The risk of landslides has increased in some parts of Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

In the early evening on Monday, rainfall of more than 50 millimeters per hour may be seen in some parts of the west. Overnight, more than 50 millimeters per hour may be seen in some parts of the east, including the Tohoku region.

In the 24 hours through Tuesday morning, 150 millimeters of rain is expected in the Tokai region and the northern part of the Kyushu region. 100 millimeters is expected in the Tohoku, Kanto-koshin and Shikoku regions.

In the 24 hours through Wednesday morning, between 100 and 200 millimeters of rain may fall in the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Tokai regions, and between 100 and 150 millimeters in the Kanto-koshin region.

Weather officials warn of mudslides, swollen rivers, flooding in lowland areas, lightning, and freak winds.

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