Heavy rain emergency declared in Kirishima, Kagoshima as record rainfall hits Kyushu, Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a heavy rain emergency for Kirishima city, Kagoshima Prefecture, at around 05:50 LT on August 8, after record rainfall triggered floods and landslides across southern Kyushu.

At Mizobe, a district of Kirishima, hourly precipitation reached 107.5 mm (4.23 inches) in the hour through 03:00 LT, the highest 1-hour total on record for that location. The 12-hour total there reached 483 mm (19.02 inches) by 04:50 LT, also a record. At Makinohara, within Kirishima, the 12-hour total rose to 495 mm (19.49 inches) by 06:10 LT, setting a new local record.

The JMA confirmed these values surpass all previous records for each site.

The extreme rainfall was associated with a linear precipitation zone passing intermittently over Kagoshima Prefecture. Alert Level 5 — the highest on JMA’s five-tier scale — was issued to alert residents of imminent life-threatening hazards, including landslides and river flooding.

Torrential rain affected large parts of southern Kyushu, prompting evacuation advisories for more than 360 000 residents across Kagoshima and neighboring Miyazaki prefectures.

At least two people were rescued and hospitalized in Aira City after a landslide caused their house to collapse. In Kirishima, floodwaters reached knee height in a shopping mall. Train and bus services were suspended, and dozens of flights were canceled.

The severe weather also disrupted transportation, causing traffic congestions and flight cancellation through August 8. At least 41 Japan Airlines flights, 4 All Nippon Airways flights, and 11 Skymark Airlines flights were cancelled at the Kagoshima Airport by 10:30 LT on August 8.

Widespread damage has also been reported across Kyushu, with multiple bridge reportedly collapsing due to the flood. The flooding damaged numerous roads, but the complete impact of the event is yet to be assessed.

Multiple rivers have exceeded critical flood levels, including the Amorigawa and Tegogawa rivers, along with the Amikake and Beppu rivers in Kagoshima and the Oyodo River in Miyazaki.

The heavy rains are forecast to continue across the region through this week. The JMA forecasts up to 200 mm (7.87 inches) of average daily rainfall for parts of southern Kyushu from August 9 to 11. Meanwhile, Kinki and northern Kyushu are forecast to receive up to 150 mm (5.91 inches) of average daily rainfall over the same period.

Twenty-four dams across the affected regions have lowered water levels to prepare for more rain. Meanwhile, three dams, including the Tsuruda Dam in Kagoshima, are being used for flood control.

“Residents should remain vigilant,” said Shuichi Tachihara, director of JMA’s Forecast Division. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that the government would take all possible measures to safeguard lives.

The national government established a task force to coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts. The JMA forecasts continued heavy rainfall in the region through the next 24 hours, maintaining a high risk of further flooding and landslides.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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