Heavy rain hits southern Japan as two tropical storms approach

Heavy rain continued across southern Japan on Friday, with two tropical storms approaching and a seasonal rain front remaining over the nation. Rain is forecast to strengthen in both the western and eastern regions by Sunday as the two storms, Mekkhala and Higos, could make landfall on Saturday.

Transportation and flight disruptions Central Japan Railway said the Tokaido Shinkansen line might be delayed or suspended on Saturday. East Japan Railway issued warnings that there may be delays to the regular train lines on Saturday and Sunday. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines canceled flights departing from, or arriving at, airports across the country ranging from Okinawa and the Kyushu region to the Tohoku area.

m. Maibara in Shiga Prefecture experienced 144 mm during approximately the same period, marking the heaviest amount of rainfall in recorded history in the city for June. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its second highest Level 4 warning over possible landslides in Yamaguchi, Fukuoka and Oita prefectures as of Friday afternoon, urging residents in the areas to be on alert.

Manufacturing halts and storm movement The rain also affected manufacturing at Toyota and Nissan, with the firms temporarily halting production lines at their factories in Fukuoka Prefecture between Thursday afternoon and Friday. The Tokai region is expected to see up to 300 mm of rain in the 24 hours to noon Saturday, while up to 200 mm is forecast in both the Kinki and Shikoku regions.

Mekkhala was around 200 kilometers west-southwest of Amami Islands as of Friday afternoon, moving at a speed of 15 kph, while Higos has been moving up north from south of Japan.