Downpours hit northern Japan due to a low pressure system accompanying a rain front. Weather officials warned of landslides and further rain, centering on Aomori Prefecture.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says bands of heavy rain clouds in Aomori are dramatically raising risks of life-threatening landslides or floods. Officials announced multiple instances of record-breaking short-period rain in Aomori.
The agency issued a Level 4 Urgent Warning for heavy rain and a Level 4 Urgent Warning for landslides in some parts of the prefecture. They are also calling for measures to ensure safety.
Weather authorities say localized heavy rain with thunder is expected throughout Wednesday morning in Hokkaido and through Thursday in the Tohoku region.
They forecast up to 100 millimeters of rain in 24 hours through Thursday morning in Tohoku. The officials are urging people to be rigorously cautious about landslides, flooding of low-lying areas and overflowing rivers. They are also calling for caution against lightning strikes, gusts including tornados and hail.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Krovanh remained almost stationary over the ocean south of Japan as of 3 a.m. on Wednesday. It maintained central pressure of 996 hectopascals, the maximum sustained wind speed near center of 65 kilometers per hour and the maximum wind gust speed of 90 kilometers per hour. Strong winds of 54 kilometers per hour or more were observed within 560 kilometers south of the storm’s center and 330 kilometers north of it.
Krovanh is expected to move slowly northward through around Friday, approaching Okinawa and Amami.
Wind speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour are forecast through Thursday in Amami, Kagoshima Prefecture, and about 61 kilometers per hour in Okinawa Prefecture. A maximum wind gust speed of 90 kilometers per hour is expected.
Rough seas are also likely in those areas. The agency is calling for caution against strong winds and high waves.
The agency also says heavy rain is expected in wide areas from western to eastern Japan from Thursday. It is calling on people to check for updates.