Heavy Rains Cause Severe Flooding in Ishikawa

Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding and landslides in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture, an area still recovering from a devastating earthquake in January. The deluge has resulted in at least seven deaths and several missing persons, including a 14-year-old girl, with over 3,600 households experiencing power outages. The cities of Wajima and Suzu were particularly hard hit, receiving record rainfall that led to river overflows and widespread damage. Emergency housing built for earthquake victims was inundated, and evacuation orders affected tens of thousands of residents. Rescue operations are ongoing, with military and emergency personnel dispatched to assist. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest alert for the region, which has since been downgraded, but heavy rain is expected to continue, necessitating ongoing vigilance.