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Heavy Rain Warnings Issued Across Kyoto and Shiga, Japan

a wooden bench with rain falling down on it
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Japanese authorities issued Level 3 heavy rain warnings for several areas in Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.

At 2:09 a.m., a warning was given for Kizugawa city and Seika town, both in Kyoto prefecture.

Earlier, at 1:00 a.m., another Level 3 warning was issued for parts of Shiga prefecture. This included the southern part of Otsu city, along with Hikone city and Omihachiman city.

In addition, a wide area of Kyoto prefecture received the same level of warning, including Kyoto city and Uji city.

Very heavy rain was reported in the Tanba region, an area that lies within Kyoto prefecture.

A Level 3 warning is used in Japan's disaster alert system to show a serious risk to public safety.

It usually means that some people, especially the elderly or those who need help, should consider evacuating to safer places.

Local governments use these levels to help residents understand how urgent a situation is.

Heavy rain like this can lead to flooding, landslides, and dangerous conditions on roads.

Authorities continue to monitor the weather closely and may raise or lower warning levels as conditions change.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and follow instructions from local officials.

News organizations such as TBS NEWS DIG have been reporting updates on the situation as it develops.

Vocabulary10 words

authorities
people or groups with official power
Level 3 heavy rain warning
a serious official message about dangerous rain
Tanba region
an area within Kyoto prefecture
elderly
older people
evacuating
leaving a place to stay safe
flooding
water covering land that is usually dry
landslide
when earth or rocks fall down suddenly
disaster alert system
a system that warns people about danger
residents
people who live in a place
conditions
the state of something, like weather

Quiz

1. Which two prefectures received Level 3 heavy rain warnings?
2. What does a Level 3 warning usually suggest people should consider doing?
3. True or False: Very heavy rain was reported in the Tanba region.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Japanese _____ issued Level 3 heavy rain warnings for several areas in Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.

At 2:09 a.m., a warning was given for _____ city and Seika town.

Earlier, at 1:00 a.m., another Level 3 warning was issued for parts of _____ prefecture.

A wide area of Kyoto prefecture received the same level of warning, including Kyoto city and _____ city.

Very heavy rain was reported in the _____ region.

A Level 3 warning shows a serious risk to public _____.

Some people, especially the _____, should consider evacuating to safer places.

Heavy rain like this can lead to _____, landslides, and dangerous road conditions.

Authorities continue to _____ the weather closely.

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