A landslide caused by torrential rain that has beenbattering the southwest of the Japanese archipelago has caused damaged to aUnesco World Heritage Site, authorities said on Tuesday.
The Terayama Charcoal Kiln on the island of Kyushu, whichhas been on Unesco’s list since 2015, has largely been buried by earth,Kagoshima city officials said in a statement cited by Efe news.
The site was built in 1858 on the orders of feudal lordShimazu Nariakira, who dominated the region during a period of modernizationfor Japan.
Authorities said the area around the furnace would remainclosed in order to stave off any further damage, as the ground had become loosefollowing heavy rain.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), meanwhile, warned ofthe risk of landslides in the region owing to the adverse weather conditions.Storms are expected to continue until at least July 5.
According to the JMA, up to 778.5 millimetres of rainfallwas recorded in the city of Ebino between June 28 and Tuesday morning, while inSatsumasendai the rainfall was up to 596.5 mm.
In the city of Hioki, in Kagoshima prefecture, rainfallreached a record of 313.5 mm on Monday, according to the weather agency.
The Japanese meteorological agency has asked the public totake extreme precautions and remain vigilant over the heavy rainfall.