Storm dumps intense rainfall on northern Japan, sending some people to shelters

TOKYO (AP) — A slow-moving storm has been dumping intense rains on northern Japan, swelling rivers, sending residents to shelters and disrupting traffic during a Japanese Buddhist holiday week.

The storm was once Typhoon Maria but has weakened, with winds now blowing up to 72 kph (45 mph). It made landfall near Ofunato City in Iwate prefecture Monday morning and was expected to cut across the Tohoku region as it moved northwest at 20 kph (12 mph), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said no damage or injuries were reported so far, but authorities have cautioned about the risks of flooding and mudslides from a relatively rare storm in the region and advised 170,000 residents in Iwate and neighboring Aomori and Miyagi prefectures to go to shelters. Iwate prefecture said about 2,000 people actually took shelter early Monday.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed that the government would quickly provide information and support to residents in the affected areas.