Thousands evacuated, trains suspended due to heavy rains in Japan

Tokyo, Jul 9 (EFE).- The authorities in southwestern Japan have recommended the evacuation of some 370,000 people, as well as the suspension of regional and high-speed rail services, due to heavy rains in the area this weekend.

The rains have been particularly severe in Shimane Prefecture, where 20 river overflows and 15 landslides were recorded.

Local authorities urged more than 370,000 people from two towns in the prefecture to leave their homes and go to evacuation centers.

In the area, rainfall of more than 100 millimeters has been recorded over the course of six hours, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Police and rescue services are searching for possible passengers of a vehicle that was swept away by a river, according to local media reports.

The rains have also caused the disruption of high-speed rail service between Hiroshima and Hakata stations, the operating railway company reported.

JMA has warned of the risk of continuing flooding, landslides and other torrential rain-related incidents over the next 24 hours in the western, southwestern and central parts of the country. EFE

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