Latest news with #KazuhiroMasunaga
The Star
11-08-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Japan urges evacuations after rains leave several missing
The slope of a nursery school on high ground collapses, causing soil and debris to flow out, in Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture, western Japan and Kyushu Island region, on August 11, 2025. - AFP TOKYO: Japanese authorities on Monday (Aug 11) urged millions to evacuate their homes after heavy rains unleashed floods and landslides in the country's south-west, leaving several residents missing. Television footage from various communities in Kumamoto prefecture showed houses, stores and vehicles submerged in about a metre of water. Surging rivers swept away vehicles and damaged roads. In six hours to early Monday, more than 37 centimetres of rain fell in Kumamoto prefecture's hardest-hit Tamana city, a record for the area, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. "The situation is life-threatening and safety must be ensured immediately," the weather agency said. "Maximum vigilance is required even in places where disasters are not normally considered to occur." Evacuation advisories and warnings were issued to more than three million residents in the south-western regions, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Some 384,000 residents, mostly in Kumamoto, faced Japan's most serious evacuation warning, it said. A father in Kosa town in Kumamoto went missing early Monday after a landslide hit near his house while he stood outside his vehicle, a town official told AFP. His wife and their two children were safe inside the car, the official said. In Misato town, also in Kumamoto, rescuers were trying to reach an elderly man trapped inside his house after it was struck by a landslide, the town's duty official told AFP. "Rain was so heavy that I couldn't see what's in front of me for four to five hours," Misato town official Kazuhiro Masunaga said. Two people in Fukuoka city reportedly were swept away in a surging river Sunday and remained missing, national broadcaster NHK said. - AFP
The Sun
11-08-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Japan orders evacuations as heavy rains trigger floods and landslides
TOKYO: Japanese officials have issued urgent evacuation orders for millions of residents after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides in the country's southwest. Several people remain missing as rising waters submerged homes and vehicles across Kumamoto prefecture. Television footage from affected areas showed houses, shops and cars under approximately one metre of floodwater. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported Tamana city received over 37 centimetres of rainfall within six hours, setting a new local record. 'The situation is life-threatening and safety must be ensured immediately,' the weather agency stated. Authorities have advised more than three million residents across southwestern regions to evacuate, with 384,000 facing the highest-level warning. In Kosa town, a man disappeared after a landslide struck near his vehicle while his family remained safe inside the car. Rescue teams in Misato town are attempting to reach an elderly man trapped in his home following another landslide. 'Rain was so heavy that I couldn't see what's in front of me for four to five hours,' said Misato town official Kazuhiro Masunaga. Two individuals in Fukuoka city were reportedly swept away by floodwaters on Sunday and have not been located. – AFP
