ISTANBUL

A person has died and at least six others are missing following unprecedented rainfall in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on Saturday, local media reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an emergency heavy rain warning for the area, particularly the Noto region, where more than 120 millimeters of rain per hour was recorded in Wajima city during the morning, according to Kyodo News.

Mass evacuations have been ordered for around 50,000 people in four cities as meteorologists predict the downpour will cause flooding.

Power outages affected approximately 6,240 households across the Wajima, Suzu, and Noto regions, reported Kyodo, citing the company Hokuriku Electric Power Co.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Twelve rivers overflowed due to the rains in the country, according to reports.