Downpours hitting Sea of Japan coast | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Torrential rain is falling in many areas of Japan, mainly in the country's northeast and west. A Level 4 Urgent Warning for landslides is in place for parts of Akita Prefecture.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says developed rain clouds have been covering areas along the Sea of Japan coast since Sunday night, due to moist air flowing into a seasonal rain front stretching from the Tohoku to Kyushu regions.

In the hour to 9 a.m. on Monday, 69 millimeters of rain were recorded at Mount Taiheizan in Akita City. In the hour to 10 a.m., 68 millimeters of rain fell in Yanai City in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

These figures are the highest hourly rainfall totals for the month of September in both locations since record-keeping began.

Rainclouds have also developed in the Tokai region. In the hour through 11:30 a.m., 50.5 millimeters of rain fell in Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture.

The front is expected to slowly move south. This could bring further downpours to areas along the Sea of Japan coast, and also affect the Pacific coast through Tuesday.

Weather officials are urging people to be on the alert for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, swollen rivers, lightning, gusty winds and hail.