Heavy rain has severed a rail line in Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan, leaving local residents inconvenienced.

A railway bridge over Asagawa River in the city of Mine collapsed. The rain also eroded the ground under the tracks at some points.

The railway operator says it can't tell when the tracks will be repaired. The company is considering arranging bus services as a substitute.

There were few people around Mine Station on Sunday. A man said he was worried the damage could lead to the closure of the railway.

In July 2010, the ground underneath JR Mine Line was also damaged by heavy rain. It took more than one year for train service to fully resume.