Torrential rain brought another deluge to southern Japan on Monday as the death toll from days of flooding and landslides rose to at least 49 people as rescuers searched for the missing people.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest weather warning, a heavy rain emergency warning, for three prefectures in northern Kyushu after heavy rains hit the southern region of the island over the weekend.
The deaths of at least 49 people have been confirmed and 11 are still missing after three days of heavy rains that caused destruction over the weekend on the main island of Kyushu.
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More than 1.22 million people in the Kyushu region have been asked to evacuate, and residents must remain on high alert until Tuesday night.
People walk near debris accumulated by heavy rains in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Southern Japan, on Monday, July 6, 2020.
(Kyodo news via AP)
Some 1,500 people have taken refuge in 86 different evacuation centers in Kyushu as of Sunday afternoon.
“The water level in the rivers suddenly increased in the rain on Saturday. I am concerned because I don’t know how the rain is today,” Shoko Matsunaga, 49, told Kyodo News.
Rescue teams search for missing people at the site of a landslide in the city of Tsunagi, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Monday, July 6, 2020.
(Takuto Kaneko / Kyodo News via AP)
More torrential rain fell on Monday and water was seen flowing down a street in Hiroshima.
Army troops and other rescuers made their way Monday through mud and debris along the flooded Kuma River, where many houses and buildings were submerged almost to their roofs.
A military helicopter could be seen evacuating stranded residents on Saturday, hovering above a house before taking a person to safety.
Japanese broadcaster NHK said parts of Japan were experiencing rainfall levels that had not been seen in decades.
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The riverside towns of the city of Kumamoto were among the most devastated, where 40 bodies were recovered.
A couple walks near the debris of a heavy rain in Kumamura, Kumamoto Prefecture, Southern Japan, on Monday, July 6, 2020.
(Kyodo news via AP)
Evacuation in that area was not mandatory, and many people are believed to have chosen to stay home due to concerns about capturing the coronavirus, despite authorities saying the shelters were adequately equipped with partitions and other security measures.
The dead included 14 of the 65 older residents of the nursing home next to the Kuma River, which is known as the “raging river” because it is joined by another river upstream and is prone to flooding.
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The river rose abruptly and its embankment gave way, causing flood waters to flow into the nursing home, where most residents were in bed or in a wheelchair.
A woman is assisted in a police vehicle to move from one shelter to another in Kumamura, Kumamoto Prefecture, Southern Japan, on Monday, July 6, 2020.
(Kota Endo / Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said rain is forecast to hit the east on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
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“I urge all citizens to carefully follow the information provided by local authorities and remain vigilant in taking steps to protect their own lives,” Abe said during a government meeting.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
