九州で豪雨、洪水・土砂災害が発生（英語解説つき）/ Torrential Rains in Kyushu Trigger Floods and Mudslides
ニュース見出し / Headline
日本語：九州で記録的豪雨、洪水・土砂災害 石破首相が支援を指示
English: Torrential Rains in Kyushu Cause Flooding and Mudslides—PM Ishiba Orders Support
本文（日本語）
九州地方では低気圧の影響で猛烈な雨が続き、熊本県では24時間で40cm超（最大約422mm）の記録的降雨を観測。広範囲で洪水や土砂災害が発生し、複数の自治体で避難情報が発令されました。新幹線や在来線の運休、道路冠水、停電など生活・交通への影響も拡大しています。石破首相は政府資源の迅速な動員と自衛隊の支援展開を指示し、「命を守る行動を最優先に」と呼びかけました。
Story (English)
Southern Japan’s Kyushu region has been battered by torrential downpours, with Kumamoto reporting over 400 mm (≈16 in) of rain in 24 hours. The extreme weather has triggered widespread flooding and mudslides, prompting evacuation advisories across multiple prefectures. Train and bullet train services were suspended in parts of Kyushu, roads were inundated, and power outages were reported. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ordered the rapid deployment of government resources and Self-Defense Forces, urging residents to “prioritize actions to save your lives.”
単語・フレーズ / Vocabulary & Phrases
- torrential downpours：猛烈な豪雨
The city was hit by torrential downpours overnight. - record-breaking precipitation：記録的降水量
The region saw record-breaking precipitation in 24 hours. - mudslide / landslide：土砂崩れ
A mudslide blocked the main road to the town. - evacuation advisory/order：避難情報（勧告／指示）
Authorities issued an evacuation advisory for low-lying areas. - suspend services：運行を停止する
Rail operators suspended services due to safety concerns. - power outage：停電
Thousands of households experienced a power outage. - Self-Defense Forces (SDF)：自衛隊
The SDF assisted with rescue and relief efforts. - prioritize actions to save your lives：命を守る行動を最優先に（公式呼びかけ）
Officials urged residents to prioritize actions to save their lives.
学習ポイント / Study Tips
- 数字＋単位の英語表現に慣れる：over 400 mm in 24 hours
- 原因 → 影響の流れで要約：Downpours (cause) → flooding, suspensions, outages (effects)
- 公式表現をストック：“use maximum caution,” “prioritize actions to save your lives”
参考リンク / Sources
