![Thousands evacuated as record rains pound northern Japan](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/5e/ab/c3/Thousands-evacuated-as-record-rains-159611.jpg)
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
-
MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
-
Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
-
Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
-
Sri Lanka hit back as Pope falls during England collapse in second Test
-
Kyiv hits Russian ammo depot as Moscow advances in east
-
Italy PM states 'determined' support as Zelensky presses allies
-
Bagnaia claims pole for San Marino MotoGP with lap record
-
Meet the Woodhalls: Track and field couple light up Paralympics and Olympics
-
Gaza war in its 12th month with truce hopes slim
-
Boeing's beleaguered Starliner returns home without astronauts
-
Super Typhoon Yagi hits Vietnam after killing two in China
![Thousands evacuated as record rains pound northern Japan](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/5e/ab/c3/Thousands-evacuated-as-record-rains-159611.jpg)
Thousands evacuated as record rains pound northern Japan
Record heavy rain forced the evacuation of thousands of people across parts of northern Japan as rivers burst their banks washing away bridges and cars, officials and media reports said Friday.
At least one person was killed and four missing after the downpours in Yamagata and Akita prefectures on the main island of Honshu.
A man in his 60s was missing after a landslide at roadworks in Yuzawa City, while an 86-year-old man was unaccounted for after last being seen on a river bank in Akita City, police told AFP.
One body was found in Akita City, media reports said.
A local official told AFP in Yamagata, where two rivers burst their banks, that "three people, including two police officers who were on a mission searching for a missing man, are unaccounted for".
Two parts of Yamagata prefecture recorded the most rain in 24 hours since records began in 1976, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Friday.
Shinjo recorded 389 millimetres (15 inches) and Sakata 289 millimetres.
Footage showed raging brown waters sweeping away several vehicles including a police car.
Authorities issued evacuation advisories to more than 200,000 people, the fire and disaster management agency said.
At least 4,000 people evacuated to shelters, public broadcaster NHK reported.
About 3,060 households were without power, 1,100 had no running water.
Some motorways were closed in the area and Shinkansen bullet trains suspended operations, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.
The military was sent to Yamagata to join rescue activities carried out by police and fire department officials, he said.
Japan's weather agency this week issued its highest emergency alert for heavy rain for Sakata and Yuza in Yamagata prefecture.
It later downgraded the warning by one notch in the country's five-tier warning system, but called for the public to stay vigilant for potential landslides and flooding.
The JMA forecasts 100 to 200 millimetres of rain per day will continue for the next three days.
A.Aguiar--PC