the balance sheet increases to at least 179 dead

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who canceled a four-nation tour, is scheduled to visit the stricken western region of Japan on Wednesday, July 11, where at least 170 people died. nineteen people trapped by floods and landslides caused by torrential rains. He left Tokyo early in the morning to fly over the province of Okayama, one of the most affected with that of Hiroshima, and visit various places afterwards.

In addition to the hundred and seventy-nine deaths, authorities say to be without news of at least nine inhabitants, the media speaking of more than fifty or sixty missing. This is the worst weather-related disaster in the archipelago since 1982.

Some 75,000 police, firefighters, self-defense forces (Japanese military appellation) and coast guards have been rushed to the aid of the victims. Research and clean-up work is now going on in a stifling 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

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                In Japan, the provisional official record of the weather rises to 156 dead
    

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

The Helplessness of the inhabitants

Unprecedented rainfall recorded in three days resulted in terrible floods, mudslides and other major damage that trapped many people. "I saw my house sink under water and I could not do anything at all, absolutely nothing, I felt helpless" says Fumiko Inokuchi, 61, resident of Mabi, in the prefecture of 'Okayama.

Firefighters sent to the neighborhood controlled one by one the two thousand 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.

As for food, they are no longer distributed properly and dozens of supermarkets usually open twenty-four hours a day were totally destroyed by the waters. Everywhere, relief services are trying to fill the gaps. "We are fighting to bring goods, water and basic necessities to remote areas. We send them by sea and air routes. But 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. We install portable air conditioners in the refuges " Yoshinobu Katsuura, an official of Ehime Prefecture

" We also offer hot baths and distribute water. We know that it is a fight against time and we make every effort possible " also explained to Agence France-Presse an official of the Okayama Prefectural Government.

The risks of landslides remain important, given the fragility of soils saturated with water, warn the authorities. A new evacuation order was issued in a town in the Hiroshima region because of a risk of overflowing a pond, said local authorities. Twenty-five households are concerned.