Severe tropical storm Maria made landfall near Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture in Northeastern Japan on August 12, bringing record-breaking rainfall.

Due to the heavy rainfall on August 12, the Omoto and Shimizu rivers that run through the town of Iwaizumi were still flowing heavily with muddy water on August 13.

This road shoulder along the riverbank here has completely collapsed into the river.

Located to the north of the center of town, Ryusendo is one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan and one of the most popular tourist attractions in town.

Normally, this is the height of the summer tourist season, but it has been temporarily closed since the 12th as large amounts of water are overflowing from the caves.

In the Shimotokusari district of Kuji, the 48-hour precipitation level hit 481.5 mm, the largest recorded in the city's history.

On August 12, an emergency discharge was made from the city's Taki Dam into the downstream Nagauchi River, and an emergency safety alert was issued.

The alert, which was with the highest evacuation alert level, was temporarily issued for 4,177 households and approximately 8,300 people in towns of Osanai and Kokuji.

Maria was downgraded to a tropical storm in the early hours of August 13, but record rainfall has led to warnings for landslides and other disasters in affected areas.

Additionally, severe tropical storm Ampil is developing and may be upgraded to a typhoon on August 15; possibly approaching the Kanto region on August 16 with strong force.

Gusting winds are expected in the region as well, and due to the slow movement of Ampil, storms and heavy rainfall are likely to last for a long time.

Extreme caution is required for storms and landslides, with transport such as Shinkansen and others possibly being severely affected, so please consider changing your plans.