Three people are missing after a devastating landslide buried homes in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, early Friday. A mountainside slope collapsed around 4 a.m., sending mud cascading into residential areas as heavy rain continues to batter western Japan.
What Happened?
The landslide—measuring 50 meters wide and 100 meters high—slammed into houses and an apartment complex. Local authorities are racing against time to locate the missing residents while urging others to evacuate immediately.
🚨 Evacuation Alerts Issued
Matsuyama officials activated a Level 5 evacuation alert, the highest emergency tier, for the Shimizu district. Residents were advised to move to upper floors or safer structures to avoid flood risks.
Rainfall Breaks Records
The region saw 213mm of rain in just 48 hours—equivalent to July's average monthly rainfall. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of continued unstable weather, with landslides and flooding likely as a rainy-season front lingers over western Japan.
Stay tuned for updates as rescue crews work through challenging conditions. 🌍✨
