Japan faces flash floods and mudslides after heavy rain, while a tornado hits France amid severe storms in Europe.
Heavy rainfall in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures triggered flash floods and mudslides, with 361.5mm of rain recorded in 24 hours in Himi, Toyama. This amount is equivalent to half the annual rainfall in London and Paris. Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level rain and landslide warnings, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. The extreme rainfall followed an unprecedented deluge in Chiba in mid-August, with moisture from the Sea of Japan continuing to bring heavy rain to the region. Models indicated that an additional 200mm of rain could fall south of the affected area as moisture moved in from the west.
Severe convective storms also struck western Europe, including a tornado in Pomas, south-west France, and hailstones up to 10cm in diameter in Catalonia, Spain. These storms resulted from a low-pressure system, high convective instability, and strong wind shear. The weather events occurred as part of a broader pattern of extreme weather across the region, with intense rain, strong winds, and large hail reported across the Alpine areas of Spain, France, and Italy.
Why it matters
The extreme weather in Japan and Europe highlights the vulnerability of regions to climate-related disasters, affecting residents and infrastructure directly.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Meteorological agencies in Japan and Europe will monitor weather patterns for further extreme events and their potential impacts.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.