Dozens dead, missing in Japan as rain causes floods, mudslides
The death toll from floods and landslides unleashed by torrential rains on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu rose to 20 yesterday, with 14 people missing.
More heavy rain is forecast after Saturday’s deadly deluge in the Kumamoto prefecture, Japan’s worst natural disaster since Typhoon Hagibis left about 90 people dead in October, NHK public TV said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a meeting of Japan’s disaster response task force to step up the search-and-rescue operations.
“As we speak, more than 40,000 personnel from police, fire, coast guard and self-defence troops are conducting search-and-rescue operations which will continue through the night,” Abe said. “Saving lives is our priority. “Nothing is more important than human lives.
“Please make utmost effort through the night to search for missing people,” Abe said after Japanese television broadcast images of overturned cars, people shovelling mud from their homes and the military rescuing stranded residents in boats.
“We had no electricity and no running water,” one rescued woman told the broadcaster. “It was tough.”
Fourteen of the victims were at a nursing home that was inundated when rivers broke their banks.
Emergency services rescued 50 people from the facility.
More than 200,000 people have been urged to evacuate as authorities request those in emergency shelters to wash their hands, wear masks and maintain social distance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of the infection and make the lives of those who had to flee their home as comfortable as possible,” disaster management minister Ryota Takeda said after visiting a gymnasium in Hitoyoshi city where 600 residents are sheltering.
Heavy rain was expected in the region through today, Abe said.
“We must remain vigilant,” he said, warning residents to monitor news for further risks associated with flooding and landslides.
Communities along the Kuma River, which passes through Hitoyoshi, have been hit hard by the floodwaters.
Although the rain had eased in Kumamoto by yesterday morning, collapsed bridges and blocked roads due to flooding and mudslides have left many isolated in the region.
A large “SOS” sign was created on the grounds of what used to be an elementary school in Yatsushiro city, where about 10 people waved white towels at rescue and media helicopters. — AFP-Reuters