Japan unifies weather alert names for floods, landslides and storm surges

Under the new system, level 5 for each type of disaster will be an "Emergency Warning," level 4 will be a newly created "Urgent Warning," level 3 will be a "Warning," and level 2 will be an "Advisory." Level 1 will be an "Early Advisory" issued when a warning-level phenomenon is forecast within the next five days. The numerical scale from 1 to 5 corresponds to the indicators local governments use when issuing evacuation information. Level 5 means there is danger to life and corresponds to "emergency safety assurance," in which people must immediately secure their safety. Level 4 corresponds to an "evacuation order," requiring everyone in dangerous areas to evacuate. Level 3 corresponds to "evacuation for the elderly and others," meaning people who need more time to evacuate should do so early. When disaster prevention weather information is issued, it will also include guidelines for necessary evacuation actions, but the system by which local governments decide whether to issue evacuation information will not change.

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