A river in the northeastern Japanese prefecture of Akita swelled and overflowed on Wednesday prompting Japan’s weather agency to issue an emergency flood warning, its highest-level alert, and urge residents to take measures to ensure their safety.
Water was found overflowing near the left bank of the Koyoshi River in Yurihonjo, Japan’s land ministry said. Some roads in the city were inundated, but there have been no reports of injuries or damage, according to the prefecture and police said.
The Level 5 warning means a disaster is likely to be already occurring, and residents are urged to take necessary steps to protect themselves.
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The Tohoku region has received heavy rain since Tuesday night due to the influence of warm, moist air.
Some 129 millimeters of rain fell at a point in Yurihonjo, a record for October, in the 24 hours through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. /dl
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