Bands of heavy rain clouds have formed over some parts of Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture, bringing torrential downpours. Weather officials are urging people in the prefecture and other parts of the Kyushu region to stay vigilant to rain-related risks including mudslides and flooding.
The meteorological agency says atmospheric conditions over the southwestern region remain extremely unstable as warm moist air is flowing toward a seasonal rain front.
A mudslide alert is in place in some areas of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The city of Ibusuki received more than 400 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours through 5 a.m. on Friday, a record for the city since the agency began keeping comparable data.
Thunderstorms could continue to affect southern Kyushu through noon on Friday. Rainfall in the area could reach 150 millimeters over the 24-hour period through Saturday morning.
Meteorological agency officials are calling on people in the area to be on their guard against mudslides, overflowing rivers and flooding as well as lightning and gusty winds.