More than 200,000 people have been issued evacuation advisories in three prefectures of Japan due to the ongoing heavy rainfall in the country, according to the authorities of these prefectures.

More than 75,000 residents of Yamagata and Akita Prefectures, as well as nearly 140,000 residents of Miyagi Prefecture, have been issued evacuation advisories. Heavy rains have continued in the northeastern part of Japan in the last 24 hours; in some regions the rainfall has reached 389 mm.

At least four people are missing, including two police officers, in Yamagata Prefecture. So far, the rescuers have managed to find only an overturned patrol car stuck in a swamp on a local road there.

Japanese meteorologists warn that the heavy rains in the northeast and north of the country will continue for several more days, and they call on people to be alert and careful.

The rescue services are warning about the risk of rivers flooding and landslides, calling on the local residents who have been issued the evacuation advisories to head to special evacuation centers.