Heavy rain in southwestern Japan raises disaster risk

Heavy rain has been pounding Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture. One person has died and another is unaccounted for. Weather officials are warning of possible landslides and flooding.

Bands of heavy rain clouds are causing downpours. Parts of Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures saw about 100 millimeters of rainfall in just one hour early Saturday. Some rivers have overflown and homes have been inundated.

Weather officials say the risk of landslides is rising in Kyushu as well as Ehime, Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures. The officials say landslides could still occur and river levels may rise even after the rain stops. They are calling on people to check with local governments for the latest evacuation information.