Tropical Storm Maria Hits Northern Japan

Tropical Storm Maria made landfall in Japan's northern Iwate region on Monday, causing record-breaking rainfall, flight and rail cancellations, and evacuation advisories. The storm, with maximum wind speeds of 72 kph (45 mph), led to unprecedented rainfall amounts in some areas, prompting warnings of mudslides, landslides, and floods from the Japan Meteorological Agency. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida assured continued support and information for affected residents. Despite the disruption, there were no immediate reports of casualties, though two families were trapped due to an overflowing creek. Approximately 315,000 residents received evacuation advisories, with around 2,000 people seeking refuge in shelters. Power outages were reported for about 300 households in Iwate.