Japan: Torrential rains leave dozens dead

Record rains and flooding across central and western Japan have caused 2 million people to be evacuated from their homes. More than 80 are reported dead, and many more are missing.
An aerial photo shows a large swathe of Kurashiki under water.
Widespread flooding
At least 80 people have died in torrential rains that pummeled wide areas of western Japan. Six people are in critical condition, and dozens are still missing, the public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday. “We’ve never experienced this kind of rain before,” an official at the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) told media.

Only the rooftop of this house is above water, as where six people with a handful of belongings wait to be rescued.
Stranded in Japan
People fled to rooftops and balconies in the city of Kurashiki, at the mouth of the Takahashi River, about 670 kilometers (415 miles) from Tokyo. Many waited hours to be rescued. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned of a “race against time” to rescue flood victims, with many people still unaccounted for.

Unwetter in Japan (picture-alliance/dpa)
Evacuations
Japanese authorities ordered about 2 million people in rain-hit areas to evacuate their homes. Hiroshima prefecture has been severely affected by rains.

Japanese soldiers evacuate stranded residents in Kurashiki by boat.
‘Race Against Time’
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the situation “extremely serious” and ordered his government to “make an all-out effort” to rescue victims. “It’s a race against time,” Abe told ministers on Sunday morning. “There are still many people who have been unaccounted for. Some people have been isolated, calling for rescue.”

Buildings lie in ruins after being struck by a massive landslide.
When the Earth moves
The heavy rains triggered massive landslides in some areas: “There have been massive flooding and landslides,” government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

A landslide buried a railway track under mud and trees while knocking a train off the rails.
Stopped in its Tracks
Japan mobilized tens of thousands of army troops, police and firefighters to undertake rescue efforts. Critical infrastructure has been hit, including railway tracks.


Source: https://www.dw.com/en/japan-torrential-rains-leave-dozens-dead/g-44565132

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