pummel

九州北部は断続的に激しい雨にみまわれています。これまで２０人が亡くなり，７名が行方不明の状態です。
Deadly downpours rage on in Kyushu
20 killed so far; seven missing; agency warns of more heavy rainfall
KUMAMOTO — The death toll from the record downpours that have lashed southwestern regions for days rose to 20 on Friday, and at least seven others remain missing, police and firefighters said.
The Meteorological Agency warned that 200 mm of rain would pummel northern Kyushu, and 150 mm would fall on southern Kyushu and the Tokai region in the 24 hours through Saturday morning. It also forecast Friday afternoon tornadoes and lightning throughout southwestern and eastern Japan.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120714a2.html#.UACPjhx8ryE

今回の表現はpummelです。辞書で意味を確認すると「…を（こぶしで）何回も打つ[なぐる]」とありました（『ジーニアス英和辞典』第４版，大修館書店）。さらに，LDOCEでも“to hit someone or something many times quickly, especially using your fist(=closed hands)”とも記されており，この語からは「連続して殴る（断続的に（連続して）直撃する）」などの印象を受けます。（GP）