Emergency evacuations ordered in Japan as flood, landslide threat escalates

More than 170,000 people in several prefectures in central Japan have been ordered to evacuate immediately as torrential rains raise the risk of river flooding and landslides, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

The evacuation orders cover parts of Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, all located near Tokyo. Several areas have been placed under the highest, Level 5, rain-related warning, urging residents to evacuate immediately due to the threat to life.

Flooding has already affected some low-lying urban areas, with water levels on streets reaching around 20 centimeters in parts of the affected prefectures.

Rainfall has reached as much as 110 millimeters per hour in some areas, raising concerns over further flooding and landslides.

Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to follow evacuation instructions and move to safer locations without delay.

By Vafa Guliyeva