Deadly Floods and Landslides Strike Southwest Japan Amidst Record Rainfall

Six people have lost their lives and three others remain missing as a result of the heavy rainfall that caused devastating floods and landslides in southwest Japan. However, on Tuesday, the agency downgraded the earlier special warning for heavy rain that had affected over 1.7 million people in northern parts of the island. However,  Japan has been dealing with increasingly heavy rain and powerful typhoons in recent years, raising concerns about the nation's vulnerability to the climate crisis.

Satoshi Sugimoto, an official from the meteorological agency, stated that this region had experienced the heaviest rainfall ever recorded. He emphasized the critical situation, where lives are at risk and safety measures must be implemented promptly.

Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, confirmed that up to six fatalities were reported due to the heavy rain. The torrential downpours caused rivers to overflow, disrupted bullet train services, severed roads, and disrupted water supplies. 

Matsuno provided updates on the situation, stating, "We have received reports of flooded rivers and landslides in various parts of the country. The government is diligently assessing the extent of the damage and implementing measures with the utmost priority on safeguarding people's lives."

Local authorities in Fukuoka reported the tragic death of a 77-year-old woman, who was discovered trapped with her husband inside their house. The husband survived the ordeal. Three other residents of Fukuoka lost their lives, including an individual swept away by a flooded river while driving a car.

Kurume city experienced a record-breaking precipitation of 402.5mm within a 24-hour period until 4 pm on Monday, as confirmed by the meteorological agency. In the city, a mudslide impacted seven houses, burying 21 individuals. While six managed to escape, rescue workers successfully extracted nine people alive and continued efforts to rescue five others. 

Another victim was discovered near flooded rice fields next to a river, according to reports from the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper and NHK, the public broadcaster. Although Tokyo experienced scorching heat on Tuesday, other regions of the country bore the brunt of the annual rainy season.

Scientists emphasize that global warming is amplifying the risk of heavy rainfall in Japan. The weather agency noted that the affected areas had already experienced more than a week of continuous rain in northern Kyushu.

Authorities in the city of Asakura believe that the rain has reached its peak, but they remain cautious about the possibility of flooding. Takaaki Harano, a local official, stated, "Water levels in rivers are rising, so we are remaining vigilant against the risk of overflow."

Landslides pose a serious threat in Japan, where many homes are built on flat land at the base of hills and mountains. The devastating landslide in Atami, a hot spring resort, claimed 27 lives in 2021, while floods and landslides during the rainy season in 2018 resulted in the deaths of over 200 people in western Japan.