Japan looks for survivors after rains that killed 199 people

Japanese Self-Defense Force officials search for missing persons in Kure, Hiroshima County, July 12 – JIJI PRESS / AFP

dozens of people are still missing after the heavy rains that hit western Japan and killed 199.

This is the worst climate disaster of the country since 1982 and she questioned the badessment.

Clearing and mud operations following landslides that buried whole neighborhoods continue and local authorities have said they should continue, house after house, to look for survivors, "The 72 hours Critics have pbaded, "admits Mutsunari Imawaka, a senior official from Okayama Prefecture.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who canceled a trip to four countries, visited the country in the first half of the year. On Wednesday, the province of Okayama and Friday are expected to head to other areas affected by floods and landslides.

Abe made no statement to the press, but met privately with affected residents. Thousands of them are in public shelters and others went to relatives' homes

All statements heard by AFP confirm that the current situation is something out of the way. ;ordinary.

In Mabi district of Kurashiki, municipality of Okayama, the water level reached 4.8 meters, according to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.

Meteorology recorded a record rainfall record in 72 hours at 118 observation points in 15 municipalities.

the government acknowledged, much criticized by the opposition for the way it handled the crisis, considered slow.

The national crisis cell, headed by the prime minister, was only started on Sunday, but on Saturday night the balance was already 30 dead.

The government promised to revise its protocols.

Almost 70% of Japan's territory is made up of mountains and hills. Many houses are built on steep slopes or in floodplains that are flooded, that is, in risky areas.

In addition, many Japanese houses are made of wood, especially the more traditional buildings of rural areas. The Japanese alert system, which entrusts local authorities with no experience in disaster management, allows them to decide whether or not to issue withdrawal orders that are not not required.

or stay in situations where they often do not have enough information