The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the city of Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on the morning of August 8.

There have been reports of damage including flooding on roads and in homes and landslides.

Authorities are calling on people in affected areas to secure their safety immediately as the situation could threaten their lives.

They are urged to exercise the highest level of caution for landslides and be on high alert for flooding in low-lying areas as well as rising and overflowing rivers.