Floods and landslides following heavy rains in northern Japan disrupted transport services on Thursday and forced hundreds of people to seek shelter.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain warning for several cities in Yamagata and Akita prefectures, which have been experiencing humid weather due to hot winds.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged people in affected areas to keep a close eye on weather forecasts and “put safety first.” A man went missing after a landslide hit a road construction site in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
In Yuzawa, rescue workers pulled 11 victims from the flooded area by boat, according to the agency. In neighboring Yamagata Prefecture, the worst-hit towns of Yuza and Sakata received more than 10 centimetres (four inches) of rain in an hour on Thursday.
Thousands of people in the area were advised to take shelter in high and safe places. However, information about the number of people taking shelter is not immediately available.
Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to the East Japan Railway Company. The agency forecast about 20 centimetres (eight inches) more rain in the region by Friday evening and urged people to remain vigilant.
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