Japan was hit hard Saturday as two powerful tropical storm systems struck at the same time, bringing deadly landslides, rising floodwaters, and widespread damage, according to media reports and government officials.
The two storms, named Mekkhala and Higos, unleashed heavy rainfall across the country during Japan’s typical rainy season, washing out roads and creating hazardous conditions throughout the region.
In Yamaguchi Prefecture, a man in his 70s lost his life after a landslide caused a house to collapse on Friday. Three additional people sustained injuries in the same incident, according to Japan’s Kyodo News Agency.
News footage out of Kyoto captured the Kamo River surging with fast-moving, muddy water. Authorities issued flooding alerts for portions of Kyoto, Osaka, and several other communities across western Japan.
The country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that more than 30 homes were flooded in the Nara and Hiroshima areas on Friday. The severe weather also caused disruptions to train service and airline flights throughout the affected region.
