Japan hit by second day of heavy rain, flooding and landslides

Houses are flooded due to heavy rain in Koshigaya, Saitama prefecture, near Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Heavy rain is pummeling Japan for a second straight day, overflowing rivers and causing landslides and localized flooding in the eastern part of the country. (Kyodo News via AP Photo) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

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Police officers help a woman to evacuate through a flooded street in Joso, Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Heavy rains batter Japan for the second day, causing flooding and landslides in eastern Japan. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

People check the situation as the buildings, background, were damaged by flooding in Kanuma, Tochigi prefecture, north of Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Heavy rains batter Japan for the second day, causing flooding and landslides in eastern Japan. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

TOKYO – Heavy rain is pummeling Japan for a second straight day, overflowing rivers and causing landslides and localized flooding in the eastern part of the country.

Tokyo was drenched overnight, but the hardest-hit area Thursday was north of the capital in Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures.

Bullet train service was partially suspended, and muddy raging rivers flooded some neighborhoods and streets. Japanese television footage showed abandoned vehicles and pedestrians wading through ankle- and knee-deep water.

The rain followed Tropical Storm Etau, which caused similar flooding and landslides Wednesday as it crossed central Japan. The Fire and Disaster and Management Agency said 15 people were injured, two seriously, both elderly women who were knocked over by strong winds.