Heavy Rains Hit Okinawa, Japan, Causing Flooding and Road Collapses

Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 24. Okinawa Island was hit by a linear precipitation band on the night of the 23rd due to a rainy season front and moist air inflow. Okinawa City recorded 73mm of hourly rainfall, the highest for May since records began. Localized flooding and road collapses have been reported. According to the Ryukyu Shimpo, the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory issued a 'Significant Heavy Rain Information' at 7:58 PM. Seven municipalities, including Ginowan and Urasoe, received landslide warnings. In Kumejima, 72.5mm of hourly rainfall was recorded. NHK reported that the Okinawa Prefectural Government has established a disaster response headquarters to collect information. The Okinawa Police reported a road collapse in Chatan Town, stretching about 8 meters. Fire departments received dozens of reports of flooding and submerged vehicles in Okinawa City, but no casualties have been reported so far.