Okinawa hit by torrential rain, causing flooding and landslides

2026/05/24 13:02 Central News Agency

Okinawa Island experienced torrential rain and localized flooding and landslides last night. (Image captured from X.com)

Okinawa Island was affected by a stationary front and a flow of humid air, leading to the development of a linear rainband last night. The hourly rainfall in the Goya area of Okinawa City reached a new record for May. Localized areas have already reported flooding and road collapses.

According to a report by "Ryukyu Shimpo," the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory announced the appearance of a "linear rainband" (known as linear convection in Taiwan, referring to cumulonimbus clouds arranged in a line, extending 50 to 300 kilometers) at 7:58 PM last night and issued "significant heavy rain information." Seven municipalities, including Ginowan City and Urasoe City, received information regarding mudslide disaster warnings.

The Goya area of Okinawa City observed an hourly rainfall of 73 millimeters at 8:04 PM last night, setting a new record for May in the area's observation history.

In Kumejima Town's Shan-tang district, an hourly rainfall of 72.5 millimeters was observed at 6:31 PM last night. Additionally, from midnight on the 22nd to 8 PM on the 23rd, the area recorded 231.5 millimeters of precipitation. Areas such as Okou in Kunigami Village and Miyagi Island in Uruma City also measured hourly rainfall exceeding 30 millimeters.

According to Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the Okinawa Prefectural Government, considering the "significant heavy rain information" received, established a disaster response headquarters to collect information on the disaster situation.

The Okinawa Police Department stated that due to the heavy rain, a road near the Shirabihigawa River in Chatan Town's Yoshiwara district, adjacent to residential areas, collapsed. The collapsed section was approximately 8 meters long and 3 meters wide, and it was impassable as of 9:50 PM last night.

Furthermore, the fire department reported that after 9 PM last night, Okinawa City received dozens of reports of flooding and submerged vehicles. Firefighters are currently confirming the situation. No injuries have been reported so far.

Police also stated that residents reported flooded prefectural roads within Okinawa Prefecture that night. Police indicated that several vehicles were immobilized, but no one was trapped inside these vehicles among the reported cases. They are continuing to confirm if any other disaster situations have occurred.