Disaster in Japan: 158 dead, the Prime Minister goes on the spot

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is due to visit Wednesday in the stricken region of western Japan where at least 158 ​​people have been killed by floods and landslides caused by heavy rains. 19659003] Shinzo Abe, who canceled a tour of four countries (including Belgium and France), left Tokyo early in the morning to visit Okayama province, one of the most affected with that of Hiroshima.

the 158 dead recorded, the authorities say they have no news of 30 other inhabitants, the media talking about more than 50 or 60 missing.

This is the worst disaster related to a meteorological phenomenon in the archipelago since 1982

Thousands of people were sheltered in authorities' shelters, others were greeted by relatives and many wondered about their future.

In the early morning, in one of At these improvised accommodation facilities, the gymnasium of Okada Primary School in the Mabi district of Kurashiki, 20 to 30 persons, mostly women and the elderly, were sitting or lying on the floor covered with mats. [19659003] Hundreds more were outside, parties cleaning their homes. Air conditioners were installed during the night, the outside temperature exceeding 35 degrees.

Hiroko Fukuda, 40, fled her home Friday night only with a few clothes. She only went back to her house on Monday. The ground floor was devastated floor-to-ceiling, closet destroyed, tatami mats upside down.

"We had photos in the Japanese-style ground floor room, traditional" Hina "dolls for girls' day in March, and my kimono and" firisode "(a type of kimono with long sleeves and fluids.) I wanted my daughter to wear it, "she told AFP, tears in her eyes.

" We can let home appliances leave, but memories like that, no. it's impossible to take pictures of her when she was three, impossible, it's too much trouble, "she says.

Some 75,000 police officers, firefighters, soldiers of the Self-Defense Forces (naming of the Japanese army, editor's note) and coast guard had been dispatched to help the victims.

Research and clean-up work is now going on in a sweltering heat, with a temperature of 35 ° C expected in the shade "and this sunny weather should last at least a week," said the spokesman of the government

"Great vigilance" is needed against the risk of sunstroke and heat stroke, as well as the possible new landslides, he insisted.

Unprecedented rainfall recorded in the space of three days resulted in terrible floods, mudslides and other major damage that trapped many people.

"I saw my house sink underwater and I could not do anything to do anything, absolutely nothing, I felt helpless, "says

Fumiko Inokuchi, 61, resident of Mabi

Firefighters sent to the area controlled one to one 2,000 houses invaded the waters. They have all been once inspected by the military but they want to be "absolutely sure" that there are no survivors or bodies there.

Still significant risks

Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles have joined this part of Kurashiki, the most affected. The traces of mud left on the walls show that the water is up to the first floor of houses.

The food is no longer distributed properly and dozens of supermarkets usually open 24/24 have been totally destroyed by the waters

Relief services everywhere try to make up for it

"We are fighting to get goods, water and basic necessities to isolated areas, we send them by road Although it will take a long time to see the affected areas recover, we are also concerned about the condition of the survivors as the temperature rises rapidly and we install portable air conditioners in the refuges, "said Yoshinobu Katsuura, a official of Ehime Prefecture

"We also offer hot baths and water, we know it's a fight against time and we make every effort," said an official of the Okayama Prefectural Government to AFP.

In areas where buildings are on the mountainside, landslides have resulted in homes completely destroyed along the way and mud has covered whole neighborhoods.

The risk of landslides remains high, given fragility of water-soaked soils, authorities warn

A new evacuation order was issued in a town in Hiroshima due to a risk of overflowing a pond, local authorities said. Twenty-five households are concerned.

11/07/2018 04:18:33 –
Kurashiki (Japan) (AFP) –
© 2018 AFP