Southwest Japan saw a volcano eruption while Southern California was hit by a severe storm causing flash flooding risks.
KAGOSHIMA / LOS ANGELES: A day of extreme weather gripped two parts of the world as Japan volcano erupts in the southwest while a powerful storm swept across Southern California, triggering flood warnings and travel disruption.
In Japan, the Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture erupted early today, sending thick columns of ash and smoke as high as 4,400 metres into the atmosphere, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The eruption, which continued following the initial burst, is forecast to bring ash fall across nearby areas of Kagoshima. Authorities confirmed that there were no immediate injuries or damage, but continue to monitor volcanic activity closely.
Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, sits on the southern tip of Kyushu Island and is under constant observation due to its frequent eruptions. The event highlights the region’s natural volatility and ongoing geophysical activity.
Meanwhile in the United States, a slow-moving tropical storm system brought torrential rainfall to coastal areas of Southern California, including Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles and Oxnard reported rainfall rates of up to 2.5 centimetres per hour in flood-prone areas.
As of Friday, parts of Santa Barbara County had already recorded over 10 centimetres of rain. The weather event was driven by a tropical moisture plume stretching across the Pacific Ocean and affecting large parts of the San Francisco Bay Area before moving south.
The storm prompted flash flood warnings and travel disruptions, especially in low-lying coastal communities and hillside neighbourhoods vulnerable to mudslides. While no casualties have been reported, emergency services remain on high alert for weather-related hazards.
As the Japan volcano erupts and Southern California copes with flash floods, authorities in both regions are urging residents to stay informed and prepared amid growing climate-related and geological challenges.
