104.5 mm: Nagoya, Japan, sees its highest, one-hour rainfall total
Torrential rain flooded roads and subway stations across Japan’s Tokai region, with Nagoya recording its highest, hourly rainfall on record (104.5 mm).
Torrential rain hammered parts of Japan's Tokai region on Tuesday afternoon, leading to significant flooding and transportation interruptions.
Nagoya, Japan, recorded nearly 105 millimetres (104.5 mm) of rainfall in one hour, the highest ever documented in the city. In a matter of 12 hours, 213 mm of rainfall fell on the community.
The downpour forced widespread train suspensions that stranded commuters, including a temporary halt to Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train services, reported by Spectee via Reuters.
While the rain began on Sunday along the Pacific coast of Japan, the heaviest bout fell on Tuesday.
As a result of the flooding, a Level 5 emergency warning was issued for Aichi and Gifu on Tuesday evening, the highest alert, which allows residents to examine their surroundings and move to the safest location.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Level 5 emergency warning for landslides for the villages of Niijima and Toshima, and the town of Oshima on the Izu Islands.
A woman in her 60s was declared dead after being found unresponsive in a submerged car at an underpass in Iwaki, the Fukushima prefecture, according to the local fire department.
What was responsible for the impactful flooding and torrential rains?
A combination of a front and ample moisture from a tropical system amplified the rainfall. A stationary front sitting over the Pacific Ocean moved northward on Monday, funnelling moisture to the eastern and central coast of Japan.
As well, a moisture-laden air mass associated with Tropical Depression Krovanh fed into the front, enhancing the totals.
Thumbnail courtesy of Spectee | Reuters.
With files from Spectee/Reuters and Rhythm Reet, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.