The floods in Japan: the number of dead reaches 157 while the government is struggling to restore public services

Dozens of people were still missing this morning, many in the hardest hit areas of Hiroshima and Okayama.

Rescuers were walking in the mud-covered hills and along the riverbanks, many citizens face health risks from high temperatures and lack of water.

"No water, no food, nothing happens here," said Ichiro Tanabe, a 73-year-old Kure resident. 19659015] "We are all going to be drained if we continue to be isolated."

The electricity supply has now resumed to all but 3,500 customers, but more than 200,000 remain without water under a hot sun, with temperatures 33 degrees Celsius in some of the most affected areas, such as the city of Kurashiki

The Meteorological Agency of Japan said that 10 centimeters of rain per hour fell on large parts of southwestern Japan.

"There have been requests for the installation of air conditioners because of the rise in temperatures above 30 degrees today, and at the same time we must restore the lines of life," he said. Finance Minister Taro Aso after a cabinet meeting Tuesday. Mabi district in Kurashiki threw up clouds of dust when rescue vehicles or cars circulated.

Survivors Told Close Escapes

"It was close, if we had been five minutes later, we would not have done it. Said Yusuke Suwa, who fled by car with his wife early Saturday, when an evacuation order came after midnight

"It was dark and we could not see clearly what was happening even if we knew that the water was flowing out. I realize that it was becoming a big problem. "

A flood-prone Mabi quarter, sandwiched between two rivers, was inundated after the eruption of a dike under the force of the torrents of last week

but some residents of Mabi had ignored the warnings, given the floods. "19659008]" We had evacuation orders before and nothing was happening, so I thought it was going to be the same, "said 57-year-old Kenji Ishii, who ignored an order and stayed at home with his wife and son, a military boat tore them off the second floor of the house, where they fled to escape the rising waters

"When the lifeboats started to arrive, they found people who were looking out the window, but those who remained inside Mr. Ishii adds:

A new evacuation order was issued Tuesday in a part of the prefecture of Hiroshima, after a river bloq caused by debris overflowed its banks, affecting 23,000 people. rescue and recovery

M. Abe canceled a planned trip to Europe and the Middle East from July 11 to 18 to oversee the emergency response.

The government mobilized 75,000 soldiers and rescuers and nearly 80 helicopters for search and rescue operations. The government has planned 70 billion yen ($ 845 million) in infrastructure funds to respond to disasters, with 350 billion yen ($ 4.22 billion) in reserve, Aso added, adding that An additional budget would be considered if necessary. hats, standing in the street devastated by floods "title =" Deadly Japan floods cause damage across the country "width =" 700 "height =" 467 "/>

Photo:
The roof of a house is left in the middle of a road in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. (AP Yohei Nishimura / Kyodo News)