TOKYO – Heavy rain hit the island of Kyushu in southwestern Japan on Monday, with at least one more river overflowing, when the death toll from flooding and a three-day avalanche rose to 44, including 14 at parents’ homes.
Evacuation orders were issued for more than half a million islanders, as well as evacuation advice for tens of thousands of others in western Japan, the broadcaster NHK said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said rain was expected to head east on Wednesday and ordered search and rescue operations around the clock. Ten people are missing, NHK said.
TV pictures showed the streets turning into rivers that flowed in heights, collapsed bridges, overturned cars, and helicopters that kicked a man to safety from a house flooded with water.
The old man’s house was flooded in the central prefecture of Kumamoto Island. NHK did not provide details.
Local residents take refuge in an evacuation center with space to maintain social distance at the public gymnasium of the city of Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.Getty Images
“I urge all citizens to be careful in following the information provided by local authorities and remain vigilant to take action to protect their own lives,” Abe said at the start of a government task force meeting.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said 40,000 Self-Defense Force members were involved in the rescue mission.
The house was flooded due to heavy rain in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture.Reuters
He added that evacuation centers also worked to prevent the spread of coronavirus by distributing disinfectants and asking refugees to keep their distance.
