Dozens killed, missing in Japan after heavy rainfall, landslides
Residents rescue dogs from a flooded area in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture, on Sunday.
People prepared for risky search and cleanup efforts in southwestern Japan on Monday, where several days of heavy rainfall had set off flooding and landslides in a widespread area. Japanese media reports said 88 people died and 58 people were missing.
Some residents in Hiroshima prefecture said they were caught off guard as the region was not used to torrents of rainfall, which began Friday and worsened through the weekend. Rivers overflowed, turning towns into lakes, leaving dozens of people stranded on rooftops. Military paddle boats and helicopters were bringing people to dry land.
In Hiroshima, water streamed through a residential area, strewn with fallen telephone poles, uprooted trees and mud. Some homes were smashed with others tilting.
“It gives me a chill thinking what could have happened,” said Eiko Yamane, who recalled realizing how suddenly water was sweeping away the tires of the car she was driving. She was able to escape.
The assessment of casualties has been difficult because of the widespread area affected by the rainfall, flooding and landslides. Authorities warned that landslides could strike even after rain subsides as the calamity shaped up to be potentially the worst in decades.
They also advised people wait for disaster professionals before venturing into damaged homes because of the dangers of exposed electric lines and hazardous material. The Japanese government said Sunday that 92 people were still unaccounted for. More than 100 reports of casualties had been received, such as cars being swept away, and some 40 helicopters were out on rescue missions, it said.
“Rescue efforts are a battle with time,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters.
“The rescue teams are doing their utmost.”