At least 27 dead, 10 missing in Japan's heavy rain

06/07/2020

Arab Times

06/07/2020

Arab Times

TOKYO, July 6 (KUNA) -- At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and 15 others are presumed dead in southwestern Japan following record downpour over the weekend, local authorities said Monday.

A car leans against a building following a heavy rain in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan Monday, July 6, 2020. Deep floodwaters and the risk of more mudslides hampered search and rescue operations on Sunday in southern Japan, including at elderly home facilities where more than a dozen perished and scores are still stranded. (Yuki Sato/Kyodo News via AP)

Ten people also remain unaccounted for in Kumamoto Prefecture, after torrential rain-triggered floods and landslides, while police officers, firefighters and Self-Defense Forces personnel continue search and rescue efforts, said the authorities.

At a meeting of relevant ministers on Sunday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged all-out rescue efforts by emergency crews.
Japan Meteorological Agency warned of more mudslides and floods in the affected areas, as heavy rain is expected to continue across the country through Tuesday