Record rainfall leads to at least 10 deaths across Japan
July 13, 2012, Friday
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AT least 10 people died, 20 were missing and 50,000 were ordered to evacuate as the heaviest rainfall on record pounded the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu, officials and reports said yesterday.
Emergency workers in Kumamoto prefecture responded to multiple reports of mudslides swallowing houses and people being trapped. Work was made more difficult as access roads were blocked by mud or gushing water, officials said.
Troops have been deployed with nearly 100 millimeters of rain falling in a hour in some areas.
"Particularly in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, we are seeing the heaviest rain that (the region) has ever experienced," the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Public broadcaster NHK put the death toll at 10.
Kumamoto prefecture confirmed the deaths of five elderly women and an 87-year-old man after waters destroyed their houses.
The local government has received reports of at least 19 missing people, many of them swept away by swollen rivers or going missing after their homes were destroyed.
"Unfortunately, we believe the numbers (of dead and missing) will rise as we get more and more information from the field," a Kumamoto spokesman said.
Emergency responders have received "many requests" for rescue operations, the spokesman added.
"We may get more rain later and we are increasing our alert level for rivers overflowing," said another official.
In neighboring Oita prefecture, a man in his 70s died after being swept into a raging river, while another man remained missing.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised full relief efforts to help affected residents.
"I have heard that this is a record for heavy rainfall. We will take effective measures," he said in a legislative session.
Self Defense Force troops have been deployed to the region for disaster relief efforts at the request of local governors.
The prime minister's office in Tokyo has established a liaison office to coordinate efforts among central government ministries to deal with the disaster.
Emergency workers in Kumamoto prefecture responded to multiple reports of mudslides swallowing houses and people being trapped. Work was made more difficult as access roads were blocked by mud or gushing water, officials said.
Troops have been deployed with nearly 100 millimeters of rain falling in a hour in some areas.
"Particularly in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, we are seeing the heaviest rain that (the region) has ever experienced," the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Public broadcaster NHK put the death toll at 10.
Kumamoto prefecture confirmed the deaths of five elderly women and an 87-year-old man after waters destroyed their houses.
The local government has received reports of at least 19 missing people, many of them swept away by swollen rivers or going missing after their homes were destroyed.
"Unfortunately, we believe the numbers (of dead and missing) will rise as we get more and more information from the field," a Kumamoto spokesman said.
Emergency responders have received "many requests" for rescue operations, the spokesman added.
"We may get more rain later and we are increasing our alert level for rivers overflowing," said another official.
In neighboring Oita prefecture, a man in his 70s died after being swept into a raging river, while another man remained missing.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised full relief efforts to help affected residents.
"I have heard that this is a record for heavy rainfall. We will take effective measures," he said in a legislative session.
Self Defense Force troops have been deployed to the region for disaster relief efforts at the request of local governors.
The prime minister's office in Tokyo has established a liaison office to coordinate efforts among central government ministries to deal with the disaster.
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