Torrential rains have battered Japan’s southern island of Kyushu since late last week, unleashing widespread flooding and mudslides that have left several people missing, injured residents, and disrupted travel during the Buddhist “Bon” holiday week. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest-level warning for Kumamoto Prefecture on August 11, 2025, as a stalled low-pressure system fueled relentless downpours across the region.

In Kagoshima Prefecture, the crisis began with one person reported missing and four others injured. The situation worsened as the system moved north, dumping over 400 millimeters of rain in 24 hours in areas like Fukuoka, Saga, and Kumamoto, breaking historical records. In Kumamoto, rescue operations are underway for three missing individuals, including one member of a family of three struck by a mudslide while heading to an evacuation center. Two were rescued alive, but the third remains unaccounted for. Additional reports indicate people swept away by swollen rivers in Kumamoto and Fukuoka.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued evacuation advisories for over 360,000 residents across seven prefectures, including Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto. Television footage captured muddy torrents carrying debris and residents navigating knee-deep floodwaters in cities like Kirishima. Transportation has been severely impacted, with bullet trains between Kagoshima and Hakata suspended and dozens of flights canceled. Approximately 6,000 households in Kumamoto remain without power, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.

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Chief Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government has mobilized an emergency task force to coordinate rescues and support. The JMA warns of up to 200 millimeters more rain through August 12, raising fears of further landslides and river overflows. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders as Kyushu braces for ongoing challenges.

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