1 missing in Japan floods as heavy rain overflows rivers

It said that it still expects precipitation of up to 200 mm in Tokyo and its suburbs, with the heavy rain expected to stretch up to the northeast through early Friday morning. Houses are flooded due to heavy rain in Koshigaya, Saitama prefecture, near Tokyo Thursday, September 10, 2015.

The rain came on the heels of Tropical Storm Etau, which caused similar flooding and landslides Wednesday as it crossed central Japan.

People walk through floodwaters during evacuation at Oyama in Tochigi prefecture, north of Tokyo on … Heavy rains batter Japan for the second day, causing flooding and landslides…

Rivers, such as Kinu, which runs through the region, have burst their banks and inundated many homes and towns in the area.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued special warnings for Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures, north of Tokyo, urging vigilance against mudslides and flooding.

The Fire and Disaster and Management Agency said 15 people had been injured, two seriously, both of whom were elderly women knocked over by strong winds. At least one woman was reported missing after her home collapsed in a landslide.

The extreme weather also disrupted transport links, with dozens of flights cancelled and bullet train services partially suspended.

Etau, which smashed into Japan on Wednesday, moved out into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) by the end of the day, but a wall of rain continued to lash the country.