Japan issues highest level heavy rain warning as flood risk rises

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Japan issued its highest-level emergency warning for heavy rain and flooding in some parts of Aichi and Gifu prefectures on Tuesday evening.

The Level 5 warning was issued for the Shonai River, which flows through both of the prefectures. 

"It is necessary to ensure your safety by moving to higher ground that is less prone to flooding," Takuya Hosomi, the Japan Meteorological Agency's chief forecaster, said during a news conference.

The special warning affects 14 cities and towns. In Aichi Prefecture, these include the capital Nagoya, and the cities of Seto, Kasugai, Komaki, Ichinomiya, Inazawa, Kiyosu, Kitanagoya, Ama, as well as the towns of Toyoyama, Oji, and Kanie. In Gifu Prefecture, the warning was issued for the cities of Tajimi and Toki.

A level 5 warning urges residents to assess their surroundings and move to the safest possible location, such as a nearby tall building or the second floor or higher of their own homes.

The JMA said torrential rainfall in the hour through 4:53 p.m. hit a record 104.5 millimeters in Nagoya.

In parts of Chikusa, Moriyama and Meito wards, people were warned not to linger in underground areas, as drainage systems are unable to keep up with the incessant rain, and there is a risk of water flowing into underpasses, underground shopping arcades and underground parking garages.

Images posted to social media showed cars driving through roads with the waterline rising up to their doors in the city.

NHK also reported that underpasses and other areas in the city's Minato Ward had flooded, forcing people to abandon their vehicles.

Authorities told the public broadcaster that all occupants of the vehicles were able to escape on their own, and that no one was trapped.