Japanese authorities have urged over three million people in the southwestern parts of the country to evacuate after extensive flooding.
Evacuation orders and warnings apply to several regions. For the Kumamoto region, the highest warning applies.
The heavy rain and subsequent flooding that began last week is described by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as "life-threatening". Several people have been reported missing.
Over 37 centimeters of rain fell in six hours on Monday in the city of Tamana, according to JMA.
