Heavy rain in Tohoku

Severe and record-breaking rainfall in Japan's northern Tohoku region has resulted in at least one death and four missing individuals, including two police officers who were responding to a distress call. Thousands of people have been evacuated, with more than 200,000 receiving evacuation notices as rivers overflowed, leading to significant flooding and infrastructure damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued its highest emergency alert for heavy rain and has warned of continued rainfall for the coming days, prompting concerns about landslides. As a result of the extreme weather, Shinkansen services have been suspended, and numerous households are without power or running water. Rescue operations are ongoing, supported by military personnel and local authorities. The situation underscores Japan's increasing vulnerability to severe weather events in recent years.