Part of National Route 16 collapsed in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, southeast of Tokyo, forcing authorities to close the road both ways.

Officials said they were notified about the incident shortly after 9 a.m. on September 4.

While the causal relationship is not known, Ichihara experienced heavy rainfall on the morning of September 3.

This prompted local authorities to issue a temporary evacuation order, while some roads got flooded.

Police and fire department officials said they have not received reports of accidents or injuries resulting from the road collapse.

The incident occurred near Ichihara's coastal area lined with factories and warehouses.