Bullet train service on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line between Hiroshima and Hakata stations was suspended on Sunday as heavy rain continued to lash western Japan, Kyodo News reported. The West Japan Railway Company claimed that services were suspended around 8.30 am. The section between Hiroshima and Kokura, which is one stop away from Hakata, took until 1 p.m. to resume operations. Landslides and flooding are expected in Yamaguchi and other prefectures in the coming days as the rainy season continues in the country, according to warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
As of 11 a.m., the total hourly rainfall in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, was 65 mm, while it was 62.5 mm in Oda, Shimane Prefecture, and 55 mm in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The day before, heavy rain lashed Shimane Prefecture and other areas of western Japan, Kyodo News reported, prompting local authorities to order the evacuation of 370,000 residents of the two cities. At least 15 landslides and 20 locations were affected by overflowing rivers in Izumo City.
cre trending stories
According to the prefectural and city governments, four districts in the city were isolated due to cut roads, although lifelines were unaffected. Local police and rescue workers say they are searching for the driver after receiving reports of a car falling into a river in the city, Kyodo News reported.
Izumo in Shimane received 109 mm of rain in a six-hour period on Saturday, while Matsu, just across the road, received 95.5 mm of rain, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The agency warned against unnecessary travel on Sunday, especially in areas of western, southwestern and central Japan, where the storm is expected to bring on continuous seasonal rain, Kyodo News reported.
According to local officials, seven cars were stranded in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture due to heavy rains, and one of the drivers was missing. (ANI)