Kitakami River Level‑4 Flood Warning Triggers Evacuations Across Iwate and Miyagi

Heavy rain on August 2 prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a Level 4 flood warning for the upstream section of the Kitakami River in Iwate Prefecture. The warning covers the cities and towns of Morioka, Shiwa, Yachimata, Hanamaki, Kitakami, Ōshū, Kin‑gaseki, Hiraizumi, Ichinoseki and related areas, with Level 4 landslide warnings also declared for four municipalities.

In neighboring Miyagi Prefecture, the Deikawa River burst its banks, leading Wakuya town to issue evacuation orders for 213 households, affecting 495 residents. Train services on the JR East Tohoku Main Line and the Rikuchū East Line were partially suspended, and road closures were reported due to landslides and flooding. Local authorities urged residents in the warned zones to take immediate protective actions and to follow evacuation instructions.