Sep 22 (NHK) - A heavy rain emergency warning is in place for the cities of Wajima, Suzu and the town of Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan. This is the highest alert level on the agency's scale of one to five. The area was severely hit by an earthquake on New Year's Day.
One person has died and six people are missing. Ishikawa prefectural officials say 16 rivers in the prefecture have breached their banks.
Sugimoto Satoshi, a Japan Meteorological Agency official, said: "This level of downpours has never been experienced in this region before. Residents must secure their safety immediately. The risk to their lives is imminent."
Speaking to reporters, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa outlined the Prime Minister's directives. "The instructions include closely coordinating with local governments to ensure thorough preemptive measures such as evacuation support," he said. "The government will work to quickly assess damage levels and fully engage in disaster response efforts."
The Defense Ministry has dispatched Self-Defense Force personnel to Wajima, Suzu and Noto, following a request from Ishikawa Prefecture.
Ohno Hiroyuki, president of the erosion control group Japan SABO Association, is an expert on landslides. He says the topography of the Noto region is very steep, making it easier for landslides to occur. "A strong earthquake struck the region on New Year's Day, which loosened the ground and made collapses more likely, even after a little rain," he said.
Ohno also offered safety advice. "If possible, it is better if neighbors call on each other and evacuate to a safe place in groups," he said.
The rain front is expected to remain stationary over the Sea of Japan and Tohoku region. Extremely heavy rain is expected in the region stretching to western Japan.
In the 24 hours to Sunday evening, up to 180 millimeters of rain is expected in the Hokuriku region.
In the Shikoku region, up to 250 millimeters could fall; in the northern part of Kyushu up to 200 millimeters; and in the Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku regions up to 180 millimeters are expected. The predicted rain will come as a tropical depression moves from the Sea of Japan to the Tohoku region.
East Japan Railway suspended services on the Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train for all of Saturday in both directions between Yamagata Station and Shinjo Station. Services will also be suspended on Sunday as more heavy rain is expected. The operator urges people to stay updated with the latest information on its website.
