Heavy Rain Floods Streets in Japan, Lightning Suspected in Power Pole Fire
Listen to the story
Sudden, localized heavy rain caused flooding in several parts of Japan, including Hiroshima Prefecture.
In Hiroshima, rain fell very heavily in the morning, with about 40 millimeters recorded in just one hour. This kind of rain is called torrential rain.
The rain hit during the morning commute, when many people were going to work or school. A road near Heiwa Park suddenly became flooded.
In Kure city, water overflowed from a drainage system at a restaurant because of the heavy rain.
In Higashihiroshima city, a road in a residential area also became flooded, causing problems for local people.
Elsewhere, it is believed that lightning struck a power pole, though this has not been fully confirmed.
A witness described the event, saying, 'Sparks fell down like rain,' showing how sudden and dramatic the moment was.
Authorities are still checking the full extent of the damage caused by the storms across the affected areas.
This kind of sudden, heavy rainfall is becoming more common in Japan during certain seasons, often causing flooding in cities and towns.
No injuries have been reported so far, but local officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
Vocabulary10 words
- localized
- happening in one small area, not everywhere
- torrential rain
- very heavy and fast rain
- commute
- the time people travel to work or school
- drainage
- a system that removes extra water
- lightning
- a sudden flash of light during a storm
- damage
- harm or destruction caused by something
- residential area
- a place where people live, with houses
- overflow
- when liquid rises above its normal limit
- witness
- a person who sees something happen
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
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Quiz
Answer key
1. About 40 millimeters 2. Heavy rain overwhelming the drainage system 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Sudden, _____ heavy rain caused flooding in several parts of Japan.
In Hiroshima, rain fell very heavily, with about 40 _____ recorded in one hour.
The rain hit during the morning _____, when many people were traveling.
A road near Heiwa Park suddenly became _____.
In Kure city, water overflowed from a _____ system at a restaurant.
In Higashihiroshima city, a road in a _____ area also flooded.
It is believed that _____ struck a power pole.
A _____ described sparks falling like rain.
Authorities are still checking the full extent of the _____.
Local officials continue to _____ the situation closely.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced sudden heavy rain like this? What happened?
- Why do you think cities sometimes have trouble with flooding during heavy rain?
- What can people do to stay safe during sudden storms?
- Do you think weather like this is becoming more common? Why or why not?
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