TOKYO, Japan: A severe storm has battered Japan’s Kuji city, bringing record-breaking rainfall and significant disruption.
Over a 24-hour period, the storm delivered 368 millimeters (14 inches) of rain, shattering previous records and far surpassing the area’s average August rainfall of 177.9 millimeters. The meteorological agency has confirmed that this is the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Kuji since record-keeping began in 1978.
In response to the deluge, the city issued an urgent evacuation warning for approximately 8,300 residents living near a river, as a nearby dam commenced a controlled release of water to prevent overflow. The weather agency has urged residents to remain vigilant against potential hazards including landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and violent weather conditions such as high waves and gusts.
The storm, named Maria, has caused extensive power outages, affecting around 300 households in Iwate, with disruptions reported by Tohoku Electric Power. As of Monday afternoon, Maria, which was traveling northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, brought wind gusts reaching 108 kilometers per hour. The storm led to the cancellation of 86 domestic flights, impacting over 7,000 passengers, and some regional train services were suspended, though bullet trains continued to operate normally.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to climate change, which exacerbates heavy rains and tropical storms. The storm is expected to move out to the Sea of Japan by Monday evening.
