Severe tropical storm Shanshan is moving northward over the Kyushu region, blanketing surrounding areas with heavy rainfall.

Weather officials are strongly urging people to take precautions against violent winds, downpours, landslides and overflowing rivers.

Shanshan made landfall in the city of Satsumasendai around 8 a.m. on Thursday. By 4 p.m., the storm was over Nagasaki Prefecture, continuing to head north at 15 kilometers per hour.

Already, some areas have seen about 800 millimeters of torrential rainfall over just 48 hours.

Heading into Friday, heavy rainclouds could form over much of Kyushu, the Shikoku and Tokai regions, and Yamaguchi Prefecture.

That will increase the risk of rain-related hazards. A mudslide alert is currently in effect for parts of Kyushu, Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku, and the Mie and Shizuoka Prefectures in Tokai.

By noon Friday, as much as 400 millimeters of rain could hit Kyushu and Shikoku in just a 24-hour period. Substantial rainfall is also expected in the regions of Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, and Kinki.