Photo/Illutration A bridge over the Taiheigawa river that flows through Akita City is submerged at 3:30 p.m. on July 15 due to flooding. (From the Akita Prefecture Disaster Prevention Portal Site)

Authorities in northeastern Japan issued an “emergency safety alert” to thousands of households in Akita City on July 15 after 24 hours of record shattering rainfall that caused rivers to overflow.

The alert, equivalent to Level 5, the highest warning possible, was issued for 4,538 households shortly after midday.

Happo Town in Akita Prefecture recorded a whopping 202.5 millimeters of precipitation in 24 hours, the highest level since observation records were first collected, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. 

The exceptional rainfall, more than the entire amount for July in a normal year, was due to a weather front that has stalled, the agency added.

Noshiro City, Oga City and Akita City also recorded the highest 24-hour precipitation of modern times in Japan, officials added.

Several rivers in Akita Prefecture exceeded their flooding danger levels.

The Taiheigawa river, which flows through Akita City, overflowed in the city’s Hiromote district shortly after 11 a.m., prompting city authorities to issue an emergency safety alert to 9,060 people in 4,538 households.

Gojome Town issued an emergency safety alert at noon for 335 people in 164 households due to rising water levels.

The Hiyamagawa river in Noshiro City also burst its banks.

Heavy rain is expected to continue until July 16, the Akita District Meteorological Observatory said.