Japan faces extensive heavy‑rain warnings across multiple prefectures

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a series of severe weather alerts on 17‑18 July 2026. In Kumamoto Prefecture, the local meteorological office released thunderstorm warnings for dozens of municipalities. In Chiba’s Ichikawa City, a Level 4 heavy‑rain danger warning was announced, urging residents in low‑lying areas to move to safety.

In the Kanto region, Saitama received Level 4 rain and landslide danger warnings, while Tochigi and Gunma prefectures saw Level 4 rain and landslide alerts, flood warnings for the Ibaraki River, and record‑breaking one‑hour rainfall—up to 100 mm in parts of Gunma and a historic 226.5 mm in Ashikaga, Tochigi. Roads were flooded, several rivers rose, and emergency “secure safety” orders were issued for parts of Sano and Ashikaga. A landslide in Ashikaga buried a house, leaving three residents uncontacted.

No widespread injuries have been reported, but the extreme precipitation has caused road closures, river flooding, and ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts.