The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that torrential rain has been continuing for hours in the Oki Islands of Shimane Prefecture in western Japan.
Local authorities issued an evacuation order for towns on the islands.
The meteorological agency says the risk of mudslide and floods are quickly rising. The warning comes after the buildup of a “band-shaped precipitation system” was detected on radar over an area of the Sea of Japan, including the Oki Islands.
In such a system, clusters of thunder clouds move slowly, resulting in large volume of precipitation.
Prior to the alert, the agency released estimations that about 140 millimeters of rain fell in the three hours through 8:30 a.m. in Okidozen in the islands, and about 130 millimeters in the three hours through 9: 30 a.m. in the Okidogo area.
The agency is urging people to be on high alert and to ensure their safety.
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