TOKYO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency on Monday warned of mudslides and flooding as heavy rain pounded the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, noting risks of life-threatening disasters are rising rapidly.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an alert shortly after 65 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the southern part of Kagoshima during a one-hour period to 7 p.m. local time.
Clouds were developing over the prefecture as warm and moist air flowed toward a seasonal rain front over a wide area, the agency said.
Weather officials said the rain front is expected to move northward and remain in western and eastern Japan through Wednesday, unleashing large amounts of rain on Kagoshima and other parts of the island of Kyushu.
The JMA called on residents to stay safe and be alert for lightning strikes and violent gusts. ■
