Video/ Extreme Rainfall Causes Major Flooding in Japan, Homes and Cars Submerged, Authorities Prepare for Mass Evacuations

The Hokuriku region in central Japan is facing a critical situation after intense rainfall caused widespread flooding in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued Level 5 alerts in several areas, the highest warning level for extreme weather, activated when people’s lives are under direct threat. Authorities have urged residents at risk to act immediately to protect themselves.

As of the early hours of Thursday morning, Hakui and the municipalities of Shika, Hodatsushimizu and Nakanoto in Ishikawa, as well as Himi in Toyama, were under Level 5 alerts.

Most of the two prefectures had been placed under Level 4, indicating a high risk from heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Residents in these areas were also advised to move to safer locations.

The worsening situation is linked to the extraordinary volume of rain that accumulated over a short period of time.

JMA data show that around 300 millimeters of rain fell in Hakui and Himi between 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 7:00 a.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, around 100 millimeters of rain was recorded in Shika within just one hour during the early hours of Thursday morning. Such an amount can quickly cause flooding and landslides.

“Unprecedented rainfall is occurring in several areas of Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures,” the JMA said in its warning.

Videos and footage from the ground show the extent of the damage: in Ishikawa, homes and vehicles have been inundated, while numerous roads in both prefectures have been covered by floodwaters.

The rainfall has also caused difficulties with the electricity supply. According to Hokuriku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution, more than 2,000 households were without power at around 11:00 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, while residents in exposed areas have been urged to follow evacuation instructions and stay away from flooded areas.