Japan: deadly floods and landslides hit Kyushu, at least 10 killed, 20 missing

12.07.12.

TOKYO — At least 10 people died, 20 were missing and 50,000 were ordered to evacuate as the heaviest rainfall on record pounded Oita and Kumamoto prefectures in northern Kyushu on Thursday.

Emergency workers in Kumamoto Prefecture responded to multiple reports of mudslides swallowing houses and people being trapped, with access roads blocked by mud or gushing water, officials said.

Self-Defense Force troops have been deployed with nearly 100 millimeters of rain falling in a hour in some areas.

“Particularly in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, we are seeing the heaviest rain that (the region) has ever experienced,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Public broadcaster NHK put the death toll at 10.

Kumamoto Prefecture confirmed the deaths of five women in their 60s, 70s and 80s and an 87-year-old man after waters destroyed their houses.

The local government has received reports of at least 19 missing people, many of them swept away by swollen rivers or going missing after their homes were destroyed.

“Unfortunately, we believe the numbers (of dead and missing) will rise as we get more and more information from the field,” a Kumamoto spokesman told AFP.

Local emergency responders have received “many requests” for rescue operations, the spokesman added.

“We may get more rain later and we are increasing our alert level for rivers overflowing,” another Kumamoto official said.

In neighboring Oita Prefecture, a man in his 70s died after being swept into a raging river, while another man remained missing.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised full relief efforts to help affected residents.

“I have heard that this is a record for heavy rainfall. We will take effective measures,” he said in a legislative session.

SDF troops have been deployed to the region for disaster relief efforts at the request of local governors.

The prime minister’s office in Tokyo has established a liaison office to coordinate efforts among central government ministries to deal with the disaster.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, more than 17,000 households had been ordered to evacuate, with 5,000 more advised to seek shelter elsewhere.

Oita authorities issued evacuation orders to nearly 15,000 people and advised a further 10,000 to leave.

In all, more than 50,000 people in Oita and Kumamoto received evacuation orders, according to local media.
http://archive.japantoday.com/category/national/view/heavy-rain-hit...

http://www.rt.com/news/japan-rains-evacuation-floods-031/

http://mainichi.jp/graph/2012/07/12/20120712k0000e040179000c/001.html

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Deadly floods and landslides hit Japan

July 12 - Floods and landslides in Japan leave over 20 people missing or dead, and force tens of thousands to evacuate.

http://in.reuters.com/video/2012/07/12/deadly-floods-and-landslides...

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Comment by Chris on July 14, 2012 at 9:01pm: http://www.rt.com/news/japan-floods-disaster-evacuation-193/

Quarter mil evacuation

A destroyed car lies near collapsed houses after a landslide caused by heavy rains in Minamiaso town, Kumamoto prefecture, July 14, 2012 (Reuters / Japan Self Defense Forces 8th Division / Handout)

Local residents stand on grassland as they look out towards a vegetable field submerged by floodwaters in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, on July 14, 2012 (AFP Photo / Jiji Press Japan out)

A beekeeper tries to save a hive submerged by floodwaters in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, on July 14, 2012 (AFP Photo / Jiji Press Japan out)

Soldiers of the Ground Self Defence Force and other workers repair a collapsed bank of the Koura River in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, on July 14, 2012 (AFP Photo / Jiji Press Japan out)

An aerial view of a residential area affected by a landslide triggered by torrential rain at Aso city in Kumamoto prefecture on July 12, 2012 (AFP Photo / Kumamoto Fire Department via Jiji Press)

An aerial view of a residential area affected by a landslide triggered by torrential rain at Aso city in Kumamoto prefecture on July 12, 2012 (AFP Photo / Kumamoto Fire Department via Jiji Press)

A road is covered in mud in a residential area after heavy rains fell at Kumamoto city in Japan's southern island of Kyushu on July 12, 2012(AFP Photo / Jiji Press Japan out)

Floodwaters engulf a river at Kumamoto city in Japan's southern island of Kyushu on July 12, 2012 (AFP Photo / Jiji Press Japan out)