 "An aerial view shows submerged houses and facilities at a flooded area in Takeo, Saga prefecture, southern Japan. Photo: Reuters")
Japanese authorities on Wednesday issued a rare evacuation order for 240,000 people in the country's southwest over flood and landslide fears, as officials confirmed a man was killed in heavy rains.
The evacuation orders came after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level alert for several parts of the northern Kyushu region.
The alert is issued "if there is a significant likelihood of catastrophes" and is activated once a disaster is declared, ordering people to take measures to protect their lives.
Nearly a million more people are under a lower-level evacuation advisory over the heavy rains.
Evacuation orders and advisories are issued by local
