Flood relief efforts in Japan intensify as the death toll reaches 100



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Updated

July 09, 2018 13:38:27

Research and clean-up efforts are gaining momentum in southwestern Japan, where Floods and landslides Heavy rains left at least 100 dead and 58 missing.

Key Points:

  • 54,000 people engaged in a rescue operation
  • The Japanese PM says it is a race against the clock

Evacuation orders are in place for nearly 2 million people, and landslide warnings have been issued in many prefectures

Some 54,000 lifeguards in the army , police and firefighters were dispersed. In southwestern Japan, emergency services and military personnel used helicopters and boats to rescue people living in rivers and swollen buildings, including in a hospital.

Some residents of Hiroshima Prefecture said The rivers are overflowing, turning cities into lakes and leaving dozens of people stranded on the roofs.

In Hiroshima, water was flowing in a residential area.

Some houses were destroyed, while others became precarious

"It makes me feel cold in the back, thinking about what could have happened," said Eiko Yamane. The prefecture is normally blessed with mild weather and has few natural disasters, so people here have never experienced such a situation.

"I guess they're panicking."

The enumeration of casualties has been difficult because of the large area of ​​the area affected by rainfall, floods and landslides.

The Japanese government said 100 people died or were presumed dead. while the Japanese public television channel NHK reported that the floods had forced several million people to leave their homes.

Another 58 people were reported missing, NHK reported, with more rain for some areas. continue to increase as rescuers reach hard-to-reach areas

"There are still a lot of missing people and others who need help, we are working against time," said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to journalists. "

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that an area of ​​Kochi Prefecture had recorded 263 mm of rain in three hours, the highest since 1976

" This is a situation extreme danger. "

Kochi Prefecture, on Shikoku, issued landslide warnings on most of the island.

The Japanese Government set up an emergency office this weekend designed for major crises.

PA / Reuters

Topics:

flood

disasters and accidents,

landslide,

emergency incidents,

Japan,

Asia

Published

July 09, 2018 12:57:49

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