TOKYO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rain lashed southern Kyushu in southwestern Japan on Sunday, sharply increasing the risk of disasters, the country's weather agency said.

Photo: AFP

Linear rainbands had developed in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures through late Sunday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, advising caution against possible landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen or overflowing rivers.

Rainfall is expected to reach up to 300mm in Shikoku and 150mm in southern Kyushu and the Amami region within a 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. local time on Monday.

Atmospheric conditions are likely to remain highly unstable across western Japan, the JMA added.

Meanwhile, weather officials said Sunday that the rainy season appears to have begun in the Tokai region in central Japan and the Kanto-Koshin region, including Tokyo, which typically ends there in mid- to late July.