Transcript

Hello and welcome to today’s news from Japan Daily News on July 16th, 2023. In our top stories today:

First, the city of Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture has issued evacuation orders for the Daiya-no and Yunodai districts due to the risk of landslides. The orders were issued at 7:21 am and are classified as Level 4, urging residents to evacuate from dangerous areas.

Moving on to Akita Prefecture, one resident in the Hachirogata-cho area is currently unaccounted for. The police and fire department have been conducting search operations since 7 am after a car, believed to belong to the missing resident, was found submerged in a rice field near Goshiki-me High School.

The heavy rain continues to wreak havoc in Akita, with record-breaking rainfall causing flooding in various areas, including the city center of Akita. The northeastern region is expected to experience continuous rain today, necessitating a high level of caution for flooding, landslides, and further disasters. Even if the rain stops or weakens, the risk of hazards remains high, so please stay in safe places.

In positive news, the water level of the Asahi River in Akita City has fallen below the dangerous level as of 5:40 am.

Moving on to the weather forecast, it is expected to be scorching hot in various parts of Japan today, with the highest temperature reaching 38 degrees Celsius in the Kanto region. Please take precautions against heatstroke, such as staying hydrated and avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities.

In other news, the water level of the Oyana River in Kamikoani Village, Akita Prefecture, has also fallen below the dangerous level as of 6:20 am.

And finally, in Akita Prefecture, widespread flooding has been reported, including around Akita Station, where brown-colored water can be seen. The heavy rain has caused extensive flooding in residential areas, and firefighters have been rescuing residents using boats. The situation remains critical, and we will continue to provide updates on the damage in Akita with video footage.

Moving beyond Japan, heavy rain in South Korea has resulted in widespread flooding and landslides, leading to the deaths of 26 people and 10 others reported missing.

That’s all for today’s news. Thank you for listening to Japan Daily News. Stay safe and have a great day! And now for the weather. Today in Tokyo, the weather will be partly cloudy with a maximum temperature of 26°C and a minimum temperature of 25°C. There is a 97% chance of high temperature and a 36% chance of overcast skies. The UV index is 7, indicating high sunburn risk. The wind will be blowing from the west-southwest at a speed of 39 km/h. Overall, it will be a warm and breezy day. And that’s all for today’s news. Thanks for listening to Japan Daily News.