Death toll in Japan floods rises to 18

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Japan’s south had risen to 18, officials said yesterday, as rescue teams continued the search for survivors.

Large areas of Kyushu – the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands – were left devastated after overflowing rivers and torrential downpours swept away roads, houses and schools last week.

Thousands of people were taken to makeshift shelters in school gyms and public buildings, but many remained stranded with emergency services battling through mud and rain to try to reach them.

More than 500 people were still cut off yesterday, with collapsed bridges and waterlogged ground on hillsides hampering rescue efforts.

The government was doing its utmost to rescue the missing or stranded, chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

Officials of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures said 18 people had been confirmed dead while 27 were missing or could not be reached.

Five people were in critical condition, Mr Suga said, with the government still trying to ascertain if their injuries were a result of the severe weather.

Television footage showed rescue helicopters at a makeshift heliport, unable to fly because of the downpours, while people prayed for the safety of their family members.

More than 50 centimetres of rain deluged parts of Kyushu in 12 hours on Wednesday, leading the Japan Meteorological Agency to warn of the possibility of significant damage.

Rains have continued intermittently since then, with up to 22cm recorded in Fukuoka in the past 72-hour period.

Japan’s weather agency yesterday forecast continued heavy rains and mudslides in northern Kyushu.