5,000 Japanese told to evacuate due to rains

Tokyo: More than 5,000 people in Japan were told to evacuate Monday due to threats of flooding caused by heavy rain, a media report said.

The western prefecture of Hyogo saw rainfall between 80 and 100 mm by noon Monday. About 5,000 people in Taka town were asked to leave their homes, after rising water levels in nearby rivers posed risks, Xinhua cited Japan`s public broadcaster NHK as saying.

More than 70 houses were inundated in several cities, including Tamba and Nishiwaki.
In southwestern Japan, persistent heavy rainfall also forced about 150 people in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures to evacuate after their homes were inundated.
IANS