Dry, warm weather to follow historic Japan flooding, aid recovery efforts this week
At least 200 people are dead, dozens missing and millions affected after historic flooding struck Japan last week.
The current total, which was reported by Xinhua, makes this the most deadly rain-related disaster in Japan since 1982 when more than 300 people were killed in Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures.
The hardest-hit areas by the recent flooding included Hiroshima Prefecture, Okayama and Ehime where more than 100 of the deaths occurred, according to The Japan Times.
Across the country, evacuation orders or advisories were sent to 6.3 million people prior to the worst of the flooding. Rounds of heavy rain triggered widespread major flooding across western and central Japan.
Emergency teams rest outside of structural damage caused by heavy rains, Monday, July 9, 2018, in Hiroshima, Japan. (AP Photo/Haruka Nuga)
The severe flooding resulted as tropical moisture streamed across Japan in the days following the departure of Typhoon Prapiroon, which also unloaded rounds of heavy rain last week.
The rain shattered records ranging from one-hour amounts to three-day totals.
The 84.5 mm (3.33 inches) that poured down in one hour on Friday in Ureshino broke the previous one-hour rain record from June 19, 2008. Mt. Ontakeyama in Nagano Prefecture topped the new records list for three-day rainfall totals with 655.5 mm (25.81 inches).
Some areas are expected to remain cut-off by floodwaters and debris for more than a week.
Improved weather is forecast throughout southern and central Japan this week as any widespread rainfall shifts into northern Honshu and Hokkaido.
The threat for rain in flood-stricken will be limited to isolated showers and thunderstorms each day, mainly across the higher terrain.
A car is covered with mud as houses are damaged after a mudslide caused by heavy rains in Hiroshima, southwestern Japan, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Haruka Nuga)
Flooded areas will also be spared any impacts from former Super Typhoon Maria which lashed Japan's southern Ryukyu Islands with winds up to 45 m/s (100 mph) on Tuesday.
The break from widespread rainfall will allow river levels to slowly fall and aid in recovery efforts across the region.
As dry weather settles over southern Japan, temperatures will rise, creating uncomfortable conditions for those without power or access to clean drinking water.
Around 250,000 households across the country still lacked access to clean drinking water as of Wednesday, and thousands of other homes remain without electricity, according to the BBC.
The Welfare Ministry stated that there is no timetable for when water will be restored to these areas.
Daily high temperatures of 30-33 C (86-92 F) and high humidity are expected throughout southern and central Japan this week.
This dry and warm weather pattern is expected to persist across Japan into next week.
Despite improving conditions, remember to never drive or walk through a flooded road to avoid a potentially deadly situation. The road underneath may be damaged or the current of the water can quickly sweep you or your vehicle away.
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