10,000 households face blackout in western Japan

OSAKA - More than 10,000 households faced blackout on Tuesday morning in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, local press reported.

According to Japan's public broadcaster Nippon Hoso Kyokai ( NHK), a powerful rain front passed the western Japanese regions early Tuesday and caused heavy rainfall, cutting off power to at least 12,490 households in several cities and towns of the prefecture, including Tanabe City during the morning hours.

The report said electricity was restored in most of the areas by 10:00 am local time although local power utility, Kansai Electric Power Co. is investigating the details of damages.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency said the rain front was expected to move east from Tuesday through Wednesday. The Agency warned that heavy rainfall may trigger further floods and landslides in a wide area of Japan, parts of which may see further rainfall about 100 mm in the next 24 hours by Wednesday morning.