Heavy Rain and Storm Warnings Hit Japan
Listen to the story
Japan is dealing with severe weather this week, including heavy rain warnings and typhoon damage across several regions.
In Akita Prefecture, weather officials warned that a linear rain band could develop. This is a long, narrow area of storm clouds that stays in one place and produces very heavy rainfall. Officials issued a strict warning about possible flooding.
Meanwhile, in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures, a linear rain band has already formed. The risk of disaster, including flooding and landslides, is rising quickly. Residents are being urged to stay alert and follow safety instructions.
Separately, Typhoon No. 18 made a direct hit on Amami, an island region in southern Japan. The storm brought a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 54.5 meters per second, the highest ever recorded in the area since records began.
The typhoon caused major damage, cutting power to around 20,000 households. One resident described the experience by saying, 'I'm glad to be alive,' showing how frightening the storm was for local people.
Weather officials continue to closely monitor the situation across these regions. They are asking people in Akita, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Amami to remain cautious, as more rain and strong winds could follow in the coming days.
Vocabulary10 words
- linear rain band
- a long line of storm clouds that stays in one place and brings heavy rain
- strict warning
- a serious message telling people to be very careful
- landslide
- when soil or rocks suddenly fall down a hill
- typhoon
- a very strong storm with heavy wind and rain
- instantaneous wind speed
- how fast the wind blows at one exact moment
- household
- a home where people live together
- disaster
- a very bad event that causes harm
- resident
- a person who lives in a place
- monitor
- to watch something closely over time
- region
- a large area or part of a country
Quiz
Answer key
1. A long line of storm clouds that brings heavy rain 2. It was the highest ever recorded there 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan is dealing with severe weather this week, including heavy rain _____ and typhoon damage across several regions.
In Akita Prefecture, weather officials warned that a linear rain _____ could develop.
This is a long, narrow area of storm clouds that stays in one place and produces very heavy _____.
Meanwhile, in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures, a linear rain band has already _____.
The risk of disaster, including flooding and _____, is rising quickly.
Typhoon No. 18 made a direct hit on _____, an island region in southern Japan.
The storm brought a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 54.5 _____ per second.
The typhoon caused major damage, cutting power to around 20,000 _____.
One resident described the experience by saying, 'I'm glad to be _____.'
Weather officials continue to closely _____ the situation across these regions.