Torrential rain struck Japan’s north-central prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday, triggering flooding and landslides, closing roads and stranding people in flooded homes and vehicles. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the Level 5 heavy rain warning for parts of the Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, urging residents in the affected areas to take precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides. The rain subsided later Thursday and the agency downgraded the heavy rain warning to medium, but cautioned residents that more rain and landslides are possible through Friday morning. The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of rain in the Kaga and Noto areas through Friday morning. The two prefectures advised more than 380,000 people to take shelter on safer grounds.

Full report : Heavy rain and flooding in north-central Japan strands people and vehicles.