Increase to 156 deaths from rains in Japan



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AFP

Japanese rescue teams redoubled efforts Tuesday to find survivors in the rubble but with little luck, after heavy rains that killed at least 156 people in the west from Japan.

They did not hear a dozen people, said the government spokesman Yoshihide Suga but the media speak of more than 50 missing

C & # 39; is the largest disaster of a meteorological phenomenon in Japan since 1982.

A few 8,400 evacuees remained Tuesday in shelters arranged by the authorities, while others were received in parents' homes

"The 75,000 police, firefighters, self-defense forces [apelación del ejército japonés] and coastguards are doing their best" to help those affected, "said Suga. [19659003] The research and cleaning work continued under intense light, in predicted temperatures of 35ºC in the shade, "and this sunny weather will last at least a week" adds Suga,

In these circumstances, it is necessary "a gr ande vigilance " The spokesman emphasized the risk of heat stroke and heat stroke, as well as the possibility of new landslides.

Unprecedented rainfall recorded between Friday and Sunday caused terrible floods, mud floods and floods. major damage that left many people trapped, despite the fact that – non-binding – orders and evacuation recommendations for millions of people had been issued.

Memories in the mud

The Mabi district of Kurashiki, located between several streams and much of which was flooded, the water was gone, leaving a completely covered floor of the river. a layer of sand, AFP journalists

Without the presence of commercial signs written in Japanese, the scene would seem to come from the Wild West

Rescuers in blue uniforms roamed the streets covered with debris stranded by the current, while the inhabitants began to

"I got married here and we built this house two years after our wedding, here we raise our children, who are already grown-ups, full of memories," said to the AFP Fumiko Inokuchi, 61 years old. and mother of three children

"I saw how my house flowed without me being able to do anything, absolutely nothing, I felt helpless," she says with tears in the eyes

excavations at Mabi with the Self Defense Forces personnel, we check each house one by one to make sure that there are no people stranded in the interior Told AFP an official from the Okayama regional government

. Ios hot baths and we distribute water. We know it's a battle against time and we make every effort possible.

In the city of Kurashiki, out of 483,000 inhabitants, 8,900 houses were without running water, a problem affecting more than 200,000 households. everywhere in western Japan, hit by heavy showers.

In areas where there were buildings in the foothills of the mountains, mudslides completely destroyed houses and whole neighborhoods are covered with mud.

72 hours of recording rain gauges were recorded in 118 observation points of about fifteen prefectures

More than 70% of the territory of Japan is formed by mountains and hills and many houses are built on steep slopes or flood plains.

In addition to this, many Japanese houses are made of wood, especially traditional houses in rural areas.

Given the seriousness of the situation The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, "decided to cancel Wednesday a planned tour for Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt" for "give priority to the relief of affected populations and reconstruction". press conference



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