Key Facts
• Record-breaking rainfall continues in northern Tohoku, with linear rainband warnings issued.
• Rivers overflowed in Akita and Hokkaido, submerging roads and damaging crops.
• Japan Meteorological Agency warns of heavy rain disasters in Aomori, Iwate, and Akita from late August 20 to early August 21.
• Akita’s Semboku City recorded its highest August rainfall in 12 hours.
• Semboku’s Hinokinai River overflowed, prompting Level 5 emergency safety measures.
• Four residents evacuated to Hinokinai Elementary School as rain persisted.
• Towada Lake’s Oirase Stream turned into a muddy torrent, causing landslides and disrupting tourism.
• In Hokkaido’s Assabu Town, flooding damaged rice fields, with losses nearing 10 million yen.
• Farmer Kazunori Funase expressed despair, stating recovery is beyond individual capacity.
Summary
Northern Tohoku and Hokkaido are grappling with record-breaking rainfall, causing severe flooding and damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued linear rainband warnings, urging caution in Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. Akita’s Semboku City experienced its highest August rainfall in 12 hours, leading to the overflow of the Hinokinai River and Level 5 emergency safety measures. Four residents evacuated as rain continued. Towada Lake’s Oirase Stream, a popular tourist spot, turned into a muddy torrent, with landslides disrupting travel. In Hokkaido’s Assabu Town, flooding devastated rice fields, with losses estimated at nearly 10 million yen. Farmer Kazunori Funase expressed hopelessness over recovery efforts. The situation remains critical as rains persist, with evacuation centers expected to remain open overnight.
