Daily downpours inundating parts of western Japan in the coming days will raise the risk of flooding and mudslides.
The downpours began on Tuesday, and they are expected to continue into Friday before diminishing in intensity this weekend.
The hardest-hit areas from Tuesday into Wednesday night were across northwestern Kyushu where more than 500 mm (20 inches) was reported in Hirado.
Radar image showing heavy rain spreading across parts of Japan on Wednesday evening, local time.
Rainfall in excess of 300 mm (12 inches) was also reported in Sasebo and Saga, leading to significant flooding.
More than 100 mm (4 inches) fell in an hour during the heaviest rainfall on Tuesday, and mudslide warnings have been issued for parts of Nagasaki, Saga and Fukuoka prefectures, according to NHK.
Mudslides were reported in Takeo, and the Ogi and Imari rivers overflowed their banks on Wednesday, according to the Japan Times.
At least two deaths were reported due to the flooding, and another person was still missing after multiple automobiles were swept away in flood waters.
Nearly 850,000 people have been ordered to evacuate across Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki prefectures as of Wednesday. Rail service was affected in the same prefectures.
Heavy rain wreaked havoc on the Japanese prefectures of Saga, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, on Aug. 28, triggering widespread flooding and landslides. Across the area, the rough weather forced more than 240,000 evacuations and at least one person was reportedly killed. Shown in this video is the Chikugo River in Fukuoka, which was moving at a fast pace as storms soaked the region.
These locations will be at risk for 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of additional rainfall into Thursday.
This rainfall on top of the previous downpours will continue the high risk of flooding and mudslides. Significant travel disruptions are also expected.
Another period of torrential rainfall is expected to western Japan from Thursday night into Friday. Southwestern Honshu will be at greatest risk for flooding and travel disruptions during this time; however, downpours will also impact Kyushu, Shikoku and central Honshu.
Hardest hit locations could receive an additional 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rainfall during this time.
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Residents of Kyushu, Shikoku and western Honshu should monitor this situation closely and be prepared to evacuate if warnings are issued by the local government .
Some downpours may linger into this weekend; however, the threat of widespread flooding and mudslides will begin to diminish.
Additional bouts of showers and thunderstorms are possible across much of Japan early next week.
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