3 missing, thousands ordered to evacuate as rain pounds Northern Japan

In Japan, three people were missing while thousands ordered to evacuate today after torrential rainfall pounded the area in northern part of the country. It causing flooding roads and rivers to burst their banks in some regions.

Japan’s public television reported that more than 500 mm of rain had fallen in one part of Niigata prefecture in the 24 hours. It also said, the authorities issued the highest possible level of disaster warnings in some areas. Local media reports that bridges were cut and roads were flooded. Service along one portion of a Shinkansen superfast train line was also suspended.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said, around 500,000 people were ordered to evacuate in Niigata, Ishikawa and Yamagata prefectures. However, there were no immediate reports of fatalities. The affected areas are largely rural, they are also home to a number of factories.