Heavy rainfall floods, landslides in Japan; 16 Fear of death
 |
Unprecedented
rainfall on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu has caused landslides as
well as massive flooding that has submerged many residential areas. |
At least 17 people have been found with no signs of life
on their bodies and many more are missing, authorities told Japanese media NHK.
Heavy rains lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu on
Saturday. Rain falls at the end of the day. The local Kuma River has caused flooding
in more than 10 places.
Millions of residents have been instructed to leave their
homes and move to safer shelters. Many people have gone to emergency shelters.
Fourteen people have been rescued from a flooded old home. All of them are feared dead.
A flood-prone area on the banks of the Kuma River in
Kumamoto Prefecture. A flooded area on
the banks of the Kuma River in Kumamoto Prefecture. Photo: Reuters Three more
people trapped in a landslide have been rescued unconscious. One of them has
been confirmed dead.
Authorities say seven more people are missing. Rescuers
are continuing to try to contact them.
A local woman said, “It was not like normal rainfall. I
never dreamed it would rain so hard. ”
The government has ordered the deployment of 10,000
members of Japan's self-defense force in the region. The Disaster Management
Minister is also on his way to the affected areas, the NHK said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that the
catastrophic weather could continue till next Wednesday. They have predicted
heavy rains again at this time. It could cause flooding in low-lying areas,
flooding riverbanks, thunderstorms, and sudden storms, the agency said.
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