Over a million people are being asked to evacuate in Japan

Over a million residents of Japan are being asked to leave their homes due to Tropical Storm Mawar. It has brought heavy rains that have led to flooding in several Japanese rivers.

Until Saturday evening, up to 25 centimeters of rain is expected in parts of western and central Japan.

More than 1.27 million residents in vulnerable areas in central Japan are being warned of floods and mudslides and are being urged to seek evacuation centers. In the port city of Wakayama, two people are said to have been swept away by the masses of water, according to the public service company NHK.

In Tokyo, some schools have been forced to close on Friday afternoon and ferry traffic in Tokyo Bay has been suspended for the rest of the day.

All around the affected areas, roads have been flooded and train services have been suspended. Tens of thousands of homes are without power.

Mawar moved earlier this week over Taiwan and the Philippines.