Heavy rains hit Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, causing flooding and mudslides that injured several people and disrupted travel during the Buddhist holiday week.

The rain began late last week, with one person missing and four injured in Kagoshima prefecture. The storm has since moved north, bringing more heavy rain to the region.

Authorities issued the highest-level warning in Kumamoto and evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people across seven prefectures. Rescue teams are searching for several missing people, including a family of three caught in a mudslide; two were rescued alive, but one remains missing.

Others went missing after falling into swollen rivers in Kumamoto and the nearby Fukuoka area. Floodwaters carried debris through towns, and residents waded through knee-deep water.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the government is supporting rescue efforts and urged people to prioritise their safety.

The heavy rains also disrupted travel, with bullet trains and local services suspended in parts of Kyushu. Around 6,000 households lost power in Kumamoto.

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