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Japan's weather agency issued its highest-level landslide warning for Niijima Island on Monday after record rainfall hit the volcanic island, while heavy rain also spread across Tokyo and other parts of eastern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for Niijima after 381 millimeters, or about 15 inches, of rain fell during the 24 hours through Monday, according to state broadcaster NHK.
Niijima is a volcanic island located about 160 kilometers, or 100 miles, south of Tokyo.
The Level 5 warning marks the highest alert issued by Japan's weather authorities as intense rainfall continues to raise the risk of landslides and other weather-related disasters.
The emergency warning came as widespread rain moved across eastern Japan from the early hours of Monday, affecting areas well beyond Niijima.
The JMA issued Level 4 landslide alerts for parts of Tokyo as well as Chiba and Saitama prefectures, which border the capital region. A similar alert was also put in place for central Fukushima Prefecture.
Weather officials said further rainfall could build up across broad areas facing the Pacific as warm and damp air moves toward a rain front stretching along Honshu, Japan's main island.
Authorities urged people in affected areas to remain on high alert for landslides and other potential disasters.
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