Over 100,000 people told to evacuate as heavy rainfall floods central Japan, triggering landslides

Japan's north-central prefectures of Toyama and Ishikawa have been hit by heavy torrential rain, with officials calling on residents to protect themselves from flooding and landslides.

The Japan Times reported that hundreds of thousands of residents were subject to evacuation orders.

According to NHK World, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a level 5 emergency warning, its highest alert, for five municipalities.

A spokesperson for the agency's atmosphere and ocean department said: "We are seeing rainfall unlike anything we have experienced before".

"There is an extremely high possibility that disasters are already happening, especially in the expected flood area, which is under the level 5 alert."

Cars submerged

Over 320 millimetres of rain fell in the cities of Himi and Hakui while Hodatsushimizu saw around 230 millimetres.

NHK World reported that these figures broke records, with multiple landslides, overflowing rivers and flooded homes observed.

According to Kyodo News, around 180,000 people were urged to take safety measures.

Several cars have been submerged, but there have been no reports of casualties so far.

The agency said a front extending eastward from the Sea of Japan is expected to move southward through Friday.

Heavy rain also hit Niigata Prefecture, which neighbours Toyama.

2 cases where rescuers saved people from submerged cars

According to The Japan Times, 10 rivers in Ishikawa were flooded, and some levees were breached.

Authorities in Ishikawa Prefecture said there have been at least two cases in which rescuers helped drivers and passengers from cars.

Around 270 households were stranded as roads were blocked due to landslides.

The Hokuriku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution reported that over 1,000 households were without power as of around 4:30pm on Aug. 27; the figure was half what was reported earlier that day.