Part of Japan is underwater Catastrophic rains have flooded Akito and Abiko

East Asia continues to suffer from extreme weather conditions. Following severe floods in China, several prefectures in Japan are suffering from heavy downpours. On September 19, in the city of Akita, the center of the prefecture of the same name, 100 mm of rain fell in an hour. In some places the water level rose above the knees of adults. An order was given to evacuate certain areas of the city. Heavy rains also hit the city of Abiko in Chiba Prefecture on September 20. Several streets were flooded. There were no reports of casualties. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant against flooding and landslides.