Japan Issues Level 5 Rain Alert for Ishikawa, Toyama on August 27

Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for heavy rain on August 27, the nation’s highest alert level, covering five municipalities in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. A stationary linear precipitation band dumped record rainfall overnight: Himi recorded 304.5 millimeters in 12 hours, while Hakui saw 210 millimeters in six hours. The warning affects roughly 180,000 residents across Hakui City, Shika Town, Hodatsushimizu Town, and Nakanoto Town in Ishikawa, plus Himi City in Toyama. Authorities confirmed flooding, landslides, river overflows, and isolated communities.

Record rainfall triggers highest alert level

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the Level 5 warning at 6:20 a.m. on August 27 after unprecedented rainfall overnight. Himi recorded 84 millimeters in a single hour, its highest August hourly record, while Hakui experienced roughly 100 millimeters per hour. The agency stated that serious rain-triggered disasters had already occurred and urged residents to take immediate action to protect themselves, including moving to higher floors of buildings if reaching evacuation shelters was too dangerous.

Widespread damage and evacuations underway

Hakui City issued emergency safety confirmation orders covering its entire population of roughly 19,000 people across 8,500 households after flooding was confirmed throughout the city. Social media footage showed cars partially submerged and roads impassable. In Himi, authorities received repeated reports of landslides and flooding. Major roads, including National Route 160, were submerged, and around 130 residents across four communities in Hodatsushimizu became isolated. More than 2,000 households temporarily lost electricity. Ten rivers flooded and a few levees were breached in Ishikawa, with at least two cases of rescuers helping drivers and passengers from submerged cars.

Government mobilizes emergency response

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established a crisis management liaison office at the Prime Minister’s Office to coordinate emergency response and damage assessments. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism held a joint emergency press conference, warning residents to stay away from roads and not attempt travel by car. Officials urged people to take immediate action to protect themselves and evacuate to safer locations. As of 5 p.m. on August 27, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries.

Heavy rain expected to continue through August 28

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that dangerous heavy rain is expected to continue intermittently through Friday, August 28, with up to 200 millimeters of rain forecast through the afternoon. The agency stated it may expand the Level 5 Emergency Warning to cover more municipalities and urged residents in the Hokuriku region to take every possible measure to keep themselves safe. The Level 5 warning was later downgraded to Level 3 after 4 p.m., though Level 4 alerts for landslides remained in place.

Final Thoughts

Japan’s highest rain alert reflects the severity of the Hokuriku flooding crisis. With record rainfall and ongoing dangers through August 28, residents must follow evacuation orders immediately. The government’s swift mobilization signals the scale of the emergency.

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