Japanese weather officials say extremely heavy rain is expected to continue in the southwestern region of Kyushu through Thursday. Parts of the region are facing a high risk of mudslides and flooding as they have had two months' of rain in just a week.

The officials are encouraging people in the region to evacuate without waiting for advisories to ensure their safety.

Rainfall in parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures has reached 1,000 millimeters since Friday. That's double the average rainfall for the whole month of July.

Authorities have issued mudslide warnings in parts of the two prefectures.

The weather officials say localized downpours are expected through Thursday afternoon in southern Kyushu.

They say rain clouds are developing in other regions as well, as a hovering seasonal rain front is triggering warm and humid air flows.

There is also a chance of heavy downpours in the western region of Kinki and in eastern Japan through Thursday morning.

Authorities are warning people to stay alert even after the rain stops, as saturated land could collapse later.

Source: ANNnewsCH