Photo/Illutration Heavy rains flood roads in Amami, Kagoshima Prefecture, on June 21.（Provided by Amami city government)

The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning of possible landslides and flooding as a seasonal rain front will become more active on June 30, bringing heavy rains to wide areas from western Japan to the Tohoku region mainly on the Sea of Japan side.

The JMA announced on June 29 that warm and humid air will flow from the south into the seasonal rain front extending from the Korean Peninsula to Honshu. On July 1, the front is expected to move southward to the southern coast of Honshu.

The agency is warning of heavy rainfall in northern Kyushu as well as the Sea of Japan side of Hokuriku, where precipitation is usually low.

Rainfall amounts for the 24 hours through 6 p.m. on June 30 could total 200 millimeters in northern Kyushu, 180 mm in Hokuriku and Kinki, 150 mm in southern Kyushu and Tokai, 120 mm in Chugoku and Kanto-Koshin, and 100 mm in Tohoku.

As the rain front will remain stagnant near Japan from July 2 onward, heavy rainfall is likely to continue in areas along the Sea of Japan. The JMA is warning of possible flooding due to swollen rivers.

Since June 26, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures have been drenched by heavy rain, which may increase the risk of landslides.

"We hope people will raise their level of alertness as soon as possible," said Shuichi Tachihara, JMA chief forecaster.

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