Home / Disasters and Accidents / Yakushima Town Hit By Record Rainfall, Landslide Warning Issued
Yakushima Town Hit By Record Rainfall, Landslide Warning Issued
5 Sep
Summary
- Yakushima Island received highest Level 5 landslide warning due to heavy rains.
- Record rainfall of 490.5 mm was recorded in a 24-hour period.
- Government will cover costs for disaster relief and evacuation centers.
The island town of Yakushima in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture faced an emergency Level 5 landslide warning early Saturday morning. This alert was issued due to heavy rainfall associated with Typhoon Krovanh and a tropical depression. The area recorded an unprecedented 490.5 millimeters of rain in a single 24-hour period, breaking previous records.
While the warning was subsequently reduced to Level 4, the Japan Meteorological Agency stressed the ongoing risk of landslides, urging continued vigilance among residents. The typhoon and tropical depression are currently located over the seas near Okinawa, contributing to the flow of warm, moist air that fueled the intense weather over Yakushima.
The Kagoshima prefectural government, with national support, has applied the disaster relief law to Yakushima town. This decision ensures that central and prefectural governments will cover expenses related to disaster response, including the establishment and operation of evacuation centers for affected residents.
