Deep flood waters and the risk of further landslides that left some 20 people confirmed or presumed dead hampered search and rescue operations in southern Japan Sunday, including at nursing home facilities where more than a dozen and there are still dozens.
Helicopters and rescue boats removed more people from their homes in the Kumamoto region. Up to 10,000 defense soldiers, the coast guard and firefighters are participating in the operation.
Large areas along the Kuma River were swallowed up by the floods with many houses, buildings, and vehicles submerged almost to their roofs. The mudslides crashed into the houses, sending people over the rooftops to give up rescuers.
At a flooded nursing home in Kuma Village, at least 14 residents were reportedly killed after rescuers caught up with them on Saturday, authorities said. Three others had hypothermia.
The rescue continued on Sunday for dozens of other residents and caregivers who were still in the spotlight on the banks of the Senjuen River, where some 60 people were trapped when floods and mud entered, authorities said.
Overall, Kumamoto officials said they could confirm 18 suspected dead, including 14 in the nursing home, while continuing to assess the extent of the damage. NHK television said 16 were confirmed dead, another 16 suspected dead and 14 still missing.
In the city of Hitoyoshi, the flood reached houses near the main train station. “The water went up to the second floor so fast that I couldn’t stop shaking,” a 55-year-old woman who was visiting relatives told the Asahi newspaper.
She and her family members ran up the stairs, swam out the window, and finally took refuge on the roof to await their rescue.
As floods subsided in parts of Kumamoto on Sunday, vending machines and cars lay scattered on muddy streets. Some people were cleaning their homes, removing damaged furniture and rinsing the mud.
More than 200,000 residents in Kumamoto Prefecture were urged to evacuate after heavy rains on Friday night and through Saturday. But evacuation was not mandatory, and many people chose to stay home due to concerns about capturing the coronavirus, despite authorities saying the shelters are adequately equipped with partitions and other security measures.
The floods also cut power and communication lines, further delaying search and rescue. Almost 6,000 homes in Kumamoto were still without electricity on Sunday, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Rainfall in excess of four inches per hour has since decreased, but the Japan Meteorological Agency upheld mudslide warnings across Kumamoto.
