Torrential rain floods central Japan, triggers highest-level river warning

Torrential rain battered central Japan on Tuesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its highest-level flood warning for the Shonai River as roads, railway tracks and other infrastructure were inundated.

The Level 5 flood warning was issued for the river, which flows through Gifu and Aichi prefectures. About 104 millimeters of rain fell in one hour in Nagoya as an autumn rain front brought intense precipitation to the region.

The Nagoya city government urged residents in parts of Chikusa, Moriyama and Meito wards to immediately take action to ensure their safety.

Four people suffered minor injuries, according to the Aichi prefectural government, while around 2,700 people evacuated to shelters.

The heavy rain also affected venues prepared for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, with rainwater reported leaking into several facilities ahead of the September 19 opening.

Subway services operated by the city were temporarily suspended, affecting commuters. JR Chuo Line tracks were flooded, while streets in the busy Sakae district were covered in ankle-deep water at one point.

Train services were also disrupted. Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains between Tokyo and Okayama were temporarily halted, while services between Tokyo and Nagoya were also suspended. Sanyo Shinkansen services were partially suspended as well. Both lines resumed operations at around 5:15 p.m., according to the operators.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that linear rainbands, which can produce intense rainfall over the same area for several hours, had formed in parts of Aichi and Gifu.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert for flooding and landslides, warning that similar rainbands could develop in other areas, including Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka and Hyogo throug