気象庁きしょうちょう「油断ゆだんせず身みの安全あんぜん確保かくほを 少すくない雨あめでも危険きけん度ど高たかまる」

Regarding the special heavy rain warnings that had been issued in various parts of Kumamoto Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism held a press conference from 3:15 p.m. to explain the outlook and points of caution going forward.

Mr. Shuichi Tachihara, Chief of the Forecast Division at the Japan Meteorological Agency, said, Even after the Emergency Heavy Rain Warning has been downgraded to a warning or advisory, please remain vigilant and continue to ensure your safety by following evacuation information from your local municipality.

There are places where the ground has become unstable due to the recent heavy rain, and some rivers have rising water levels.

In the future, even a small amount of rain could once again increase the risk of disasters.

We continue to urge people to remain extremely vigilant against landslides and to be cautious of rising river levels and possible flooding.

Also, With a front continuing to extend along the Sea of Japan side of Honshu, a flow of very warm and humid air is continuing to move toward the front and the low pressure systems on the front.

Developed clouds can also be seen here and there along the front near Honshu and over the East China Sea.

He said, This pressure pattern is expected to remain largely unchanged on the 12th as well.

“There is a high possibility of warning-level heavy rain in northern Kyushu through the morning of the 12th.” Regarding the outlook for heavy rain going forward, “In northern Kyushu, including Kumamoto Prefecture, warning-level heavy rain is expected through the morning of the 12th, and there is a possibility that warning-level conditions will continue throughout the 12th.”

Also, heavy rain at warning levels is expected almost nationwide through the 12th, and in some areas, there is a possibility of heavy rain at warning levels continuing through the 13th.

He said, For the time being, please be on alert for heavy rain at least through the 12th, and in some areas, through the 13th.

Even with low water levels, there is a risk of flooding. Please evacuate early. Regarding the outlook for river water levels, Mr. Kazuhito Shimamoto, Director of the River Environment Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, said, In large rivers, high water levels are expected to continue for the time being.

If heavy rain occurs again while the basin is still wet from previous rainfall, the river water level will rise rapidly.

Even after the heavy rain emergency warning has been downgraded to a warning or advisory, please do not let your guard down and make sure to secure your safety by following evacuation information issued by your municipality.

On top of that, at this point, we have not yet been able to fully confirm the extent of damage to levees and embankments, so there is also a possibility of flooding even at low water levels.

He said, Please continue to be fully cautious regarding the upcoming heavy rain, keep checking weather and water level information as well as hazard maps, and continue to take early evacuation actions, urging people to remain prepared.

Also, regarding future precautions: Among large rivers, in areas where flood control was carried out by upstream dams, it is expected that water levels will continue to rise as water releases and other measures are taken to restore the dam’s reservoir capacity.

Depending on the river, there is a possibility that levees or riverbanks may be damaged, leading to flooding even at low water levels.

I want you to be very careful about the heavy rain expected in the future, he said.

On top of that, when the water level of a large river is high, it becomes difficult for the connected small and medium-sized rivers to flow into it.

Small and medium-sized rivers can still rise rapidly even with a small amount of rain, so please be very careful.

There are areas where the ground has become loose due to the heavy rain so far, so please continue to be extremely cautious about landslides and check the latest information, he said.