Japan braces for more rain after deadly mudslides, flooding last week

After record-breaking rain in Japan last week caused deadly mudslides and flooding, more rain will soak parts of the country this week.

All-time highest rainfall triggered deadly mudslides in southern parts of Japan's Kyushu Island the first few days of July. Rainfall from Monday to Wednesday totaled 21.42 inches (554.0 mm) in Nichinan City in Miyazaki Prefecture, shattering the previous all-time three-day record of 18.01 inches (457.5 mm) from Oct. 30, 2017.

On Wednesday alone, several locations in Kagoshima Prefecture registered the most rain ever to pour down in one day. This included Kanoya, where 18.60 inches (472.5 mm) exceeded the previous all-time wettest calendar day of 15.87 inches (403 mm) from Sept. 6, 2005. Rainfall from Monday to Wednesday at Kanoya totaled 25.26 inches (641.5 mm), shattering the July three-day record of 20.08 inches (510 mm) from July 7, 1993.

While drier weather will hold through Tuesday, a round of more widespread rain will soak southern Japan during the middle of the week.

The heaviest of the rain is expected to fall from Wednesday into Thursday across Shikoku, Kyushu and southern Honshu. Nagasaki, Kochi and Osaka are some communities that may see travel disruptions and potential flooding due to heavy rainfall.

During the rain early last week, two women were killed in separate incidents of homes being buried by mudslides in Kagoshima Prefecture, according to Xinhua.

Flooding and mudslides across southern Japan damaged nearly 80 homes and left about 1,700 other homes without power. Four people sustained injuries, the AP reported.

While this round of rain is not expected to be as heavy as rainfall last week, isolated areas could still receive 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rain within a short period of time. This will not only cause travel delays, but may lead to renewed flash flooding and a heightened risk for mudslides in areas previously impacted by heavy rainfall last week.

Steady to heavy rainfall may shift into central Honshu on Friday, affecting the Greater Tokyo Area.

Delays are possible for the morning commute with rainfall of 13-25 mm (0.50-1.00 inch).

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