(Update 2) Continuous Rain Causes Flooding, Collapses Bridge in Kyushu Region
12:48 JST, July 3, 2023
Heavy downpours continued to hit the Kyushu region on Monday, causing river floods and landslides across the region. A linear precipitation band unleashing torrential rainfalls in a short period of time occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture, where water from flooded rivers flowed onto roads and around homes in some areas.
On Monday morning, a bridge on National Highway Route 445 collapsed in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture. According to the prefectural government and other bodies, the collapse was likely a result of rising waters in the Mifune River caused by continuous rain from the previous night. The bridge had been closed since 8:30 a.m. Monday.
In Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, water from the Kiyama and Iwato rivers, which run through the town, overflowed and flooded a wide area along the rivers. At about 10 a.m. on Monday, Prefectural Highway Route 235 and rice paddies were covered with muddy water. Cars were seen stuck on the prefectural road with their hazard lights flashing.
The municipal government issued evacuation alerts for 33,786 residents of 14,231 households in the area.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that the band will likely continue to develop in the southern Kyushu region until Tuesday morning and urged people to be on high alert for potential mudslides and river flooding.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Earthquake in Western Japan a Reminder to Be Ready for the Big One; 14% of People Have Made No Preparations, Survey Says
-
Small Animal That Appears to be Mouse Found in Chojuku Bread Products; Some Brands on Same Production Line to be Recalled Voluntarily
-
Earthquake Hits Japan’s Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba Prefectures, No Risk of Tsunami
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- Japanese Seafood Exports to China Sink 57% in FY23; U.S. Becomes Largest Seafood Export Destination
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- 48.6% of Global Patent Applications Related to All-Solid-State Batteries Came from Japanese Firms; Panasonic Tops List
- Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in Fiscal 2023