Japan floods and landslides cause fatalities and mass evacuations

Heavy rainfall and tropical depression Krovanh have caused severe flooding and landslides across central Japan, resulting in at least two deaths this week. On Tuesday, a person died in a landslide in Kawanehon, Shizuoka Prefecture. This follows the death of a woman in Fukushima Prefecture on Monday, who became trapped in a vehicle in a flooded underpass.

In Nagoya, at least 41 people sustained minor injuries due to the flooding. Video footage from the region shows streets submerged and vehicles being swept away by strong currents. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 warning for the Shonai River, which flows through Aichi and Gifu prefectures.

Mass evacuations have been triggered across the country, with approximately 41,000 people previously evacuated from Toyama and Aomori. Authorities have activated maximum alert levels in 14 cities and towns, including Nagoya, Seto, and Kasugai. Forecasters warn that heavy rains may persist due to an active autumn front and the ongoing tropical depression.