Times of Suriname

Japan boosts rescue efforts as it warns of more rain in floodhit areas

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TOKYO - Japan on Tuesday warned of more heavy rain on the southweste­rn island of Kyushu and bolstered rescue operations as the death toll in floodhit areas rose past 50 with about a dozen people reported missing.

The government said it would double rescue and relief personnel as heavy rain destroyed homes and caused landslides in what is shaping up to be Japan’s worst natural disaster since Typhoon Hagibis killed 90 people in October. Rain front was expected to remain over the area until Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news briefing. “Rain is expected over a wide front stretching from western eastern Japan,” he said. Police, Self-Defense Force (SDF) and Coast Guard units were carrying out search and rescue efforts, said Suga, urging people to take necessary precaution­s to keep safe. The death toll has risen to 56 with missing, according to public broadcaste­r NHK. It showed

to swollen rivers, destroyed homes, roads covered in landslides and stranded residents being plucked to safety by military helicopter­s. Kyodo News reported at least 71 landslides across 12 prefecture­s, citing the land ministry, and said more than 1.3 million people had been ordered to leave their homes. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government would double rescue and relief personnel, from day-earlier levels, to 80,000, including some 20,000 SDF troops. Some companies in the region have temporaril­y halted operations but Suga said he did not expect major disruption­s to supply chains, as happened two years ago when deadly floods also hit Kyushu. The government will continue to liaise with local firms, Suga said, adding: “We want to quickly take the necessary steps such as support for small and midsized firms depending on the situation ahead.” (Reuters)

 ??  ?? Local residents are rescued by Japan SelfDefens­e Force soldiers using a boat on a flooded road, caused by heavy rain in Omuta, Fukuoka prefecture, southern Japan July 7, 2020 in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo. (Photo:Reuters)
Local residents are rescued by Japan SelfDefens­e Force soldiers using a boat on a flooded road, caused by heavy rain in Omuta, Fukuoka prefecture, southern Japan July 7, 2020 in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo. (Photo:Reuters)

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