Japan orders evacuations in quake-hit Ishikawa as floods and mudslides hit

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Thousands of residents in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture have been ordered to evacuate as heavy rains triggered severe floods and mudslides in the earthquake-hit region. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest-level alert for the area, warning of "unprecedented" rainfall.

At least 44,700 people in the cities of Wajima, Suzu, and the town of Noto have been told to leave their homes due to rising water levels and the risk of mudslides. In addition, another 16,000 residents in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures north of Ishikawa were also ordered to evacuate.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with two people reported missing in Wajima, one of the hardest-hit areas. The region had already been affected by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake earlier this year. In some areas, record rainfall was reported, with Wajima receiving 121mm (4.8 inches) of rain in just one hour.

The flooding has caused at least 12 rivers in Ishikawa to burst their banks, while nearly 6,000 households are without power. Authorities have urged residents to take "maximum caution" as conditions continue to worsen.