Japan braces for heavy rainfall this week as tropical depression approaches

A tropical depression, named Dodong in the Philippines, is moving northward across the West Pacific and will bring the potential for flooding and other impacts to Japan this week.

While the tropical system has yet to be given an official name by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), further development into a tropical storm remains a possibility as it moves northward to the east of Taiwan and crosses near Japan's Ryukyu Islands on Wednesday and Thursday.

If the depression strengthens further into a tropical storm or a typhoon, the name Sepat would be given to the storm by the JMA.

Regardless of its strength, impacts are expected across much of Japan as heavy rainfall targets the country.

The Ryukyu Islands will be the first to be impacted with downpours spreading over the islands from south to north into Wednesday.

Flash flooding will be the biggest concern, although the islands will also be affected by rough seas and surf into Thursday.

Downpours will reach Kyushu on Wednesday and neighboring parts of Shikoku and far southern Honshu on Wednesday night.

Rain will expand over the remainder of Honshu on Thursday and Thursday night. Tokyo is expected to escape the heaviest rainfall; however, a few downpours are possible late Thursday night into Friday morning.

These downpours will increase the risk of flash flooding while also heightening the risk of mudslides, especially in areas of rugged terrain.

Rounds of rainfall are expected across much of Japan from Thursday into Friday; however, Hokkaido will be largely spared with any downpours limited to far southern parts of the island.

Travel disruptions are also possible, especially in areas that experience heavy rainfall around peak travel times.

Rough seas will be a concern for the southern and eastern coastline of Japan from Wednesday into Friday.

A period of rain may also streak across South Korea on Wednesday and Wednesday night; however, no widespread flooding or travel disruptions are expected.

Another round of heavy rainfall is possible across South Korea and Japan this weekend as a storm arrives from China.

This heavy rainfall on top of the rain expected this week will bring an elevated risk for flooding and continue the threat of mudslides.

While the Philippines are forecast to avoid any direct impacts from this tropical system, moisture will be pulled across the country as the storm tracks northward and brings rounds of downpours to the country into this weekend.

The downpours will be most common in central and northern parts of the Philippines with western Luzon at greatest risk for flooding, mudslides and travel disruptions.

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