Japan set to receive torrential rain

TOKYO, Aug 19: Rain clouds are gathering across Japan, with downpours expected in the Shikoku and Kyushu regions due to very unstable atmospheric conditions, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday.

Cold air is flowing into higher altitudes over western and eastern Japan, while moist air from a tropical storm that formed on Monday is blowing into areas around western Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Miyazaki city recorded 30.5 millimetres of rain as of 5 a.m. local time, and a district in Shimanto city in Kochi prefecture recorded 30 millimetres, Xinhua news agency quoted the JMA as saying.

The agency warned of flooding in low-lying areas, landslides and sudden rises in rivers, as well as strong winds including lightning, hail and tornadoes.

Meanwhile, Japan’s sweltering heat continued on Monday, with the JMA issuing heatstroke alerts for 19 of the country’s 47 prefectures. Weather officials said temperatures were expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius in Matsue city in Shimane Prefecture and Kofu city in Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as the cities of Nagoya and Yamagata.