Alarming situation in central Japan: Record rainfall causes devastating floods, thousands under evacuation orders

The Hokuriku region in central Japan is facing a severe water-related crisis, as relentless and intense rainfall has caused massive flooding in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has raised the alert to its highest level, Level 5, signaling a direct threat to residents’ lives. Emergency teams are urging people in the affected areas to act without delay to protect themselves.

As of dawn on Thursday, the municipalities of Hakui, Shika, Hodatsushimizu and Nakanoto in Ishikawa, along with Himi in Toyama, had been placed under this critical alert level. Meanwhile, the vast majority of both prefectures were placed at Level 4, indicating a serious threat from torrential rain, flooding and landslides, for which authorities are also advising residents to evacuate.

The rapid deterioration in weather is directly linked to the extraordinary amount of water that fell within a short period. JMA data shows that around 300 millimeters of rain was recorded in Hakui and Himi from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.

In the town of Shika, around 100 millimeters of rain fell within a single hour overnight. Rainfall of this magnitude can generate sudden flooding and landslides in record time. According to the JMA warning, “unprecedented rainfall intensity is being recorded in some areas of Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.”

Images captured on the ground testify to the destructive force of the water. Homes and cars have been submerged by flooding in Ishikawa, while extensive sections of road infrastructure in both prefectures have been blocked by water.

The situation is also complicated on the energy front. Hokuriku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution announced that, around midday on Thursday, more than 2,000 households were without electricity.

Authorities continue to closely monitor developments in the weather, while reiterating their call for residents in at-risk areas to strictly follow evacuation instructions and stay away from flooded areas.