Thousands Ordered to Evacuate as Heavy Rain Hits Western Japan

As many as 83,000 people had been ordered to evacuate in the city of Kyoto on Thursday, July 5, due to increasing risks of floods and mudslides as heavy rain continues to batter western Japan.A worker died at a construction site in Inagawa, Hyogo prefecture, and two others were injured after they were washed away in a drainage pipe.The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings of landslides and rising river levels as the heavy rain may continue through Sunday, July 8, in the Kinki region, which includes Kyoto, Hyogo and Osaka prefectures.The swollen waters of the Kamo River in Kyoto prompted the authorities to close its riverside promenade, a major tourist spot in the city’s centre.This video, which shows the flooded promenade of the Kamo River, was shared online on Friday morning, June 6.Typhoon Prapiroon entered the Sea of Japan this week before downgraded to an extra-tropical cyclone. The storm system has brought days of heavy rain to Japan and South Korea. Credit: charengi1118 via Storyful