Rains in Japan leave more dead in their wake

TOKYO.

The number of deaths left by the torrential rains in central and southwestern Japan now stands 179 according to the data provided by the government today, The record rainfall since Thursday in the Japanese archipelago has caused floods and landslides in its path, particularly severe in the prefectures of Hiroshima and Japan. Ehime, where the weather phenomenon has devastated thousands of people. There are currently 179 deaths, most in the prefectures of Hiroshima (west) and Okayama and Ehime (southwest), according to the data offered today at a press conference by the minister spokesman for the executive, Yoshihide Suga.

Also, the national media has weighed up the people who continue to disappear between 39 and 56 years old, from the data offered by the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe is returned today to Okayama aboard a helicopter of the Self Defense Forces (Army) to observe in the field the presence of local authorities from the various affected areas

. Search and rescue of missing persons and assistance to thousands of people affected by the disaster.

Abe's visit to Okayama, where about 50 people died in various rain and flood accidents, comes after the Japanese conservative leader canceled a planned tour of Europe and the Middle East. East this week.

] Abe plans to visit also the prefectures of Hiroshima, where more deaths were recorded (about 60), and Ehime.

The torrential rains which in a few points exceeded the thousand 600 millimeters accumulated, constitute the natural disaster of this type that has left more victims in Japan than in the last 36 years.

Some 83,000 people were still evacuated to temporary shelters Tuesday night, while 255,000 citizens lost their running water, according to the detailed NHK state chain.

Precipitation caused overflowing rivers that flooded whole populations, where water reached three meters high at some points, and caused serious damage to buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.