Japan Floods Claim Dozens of Lives
THE death toll in record rains that have devastated parts of Japan rose to 75 on Monday, according to an official tally, as rescue operations continued.
Dozens of people remain missing after the days of torrential rains that have caused flash floods and landslides.
Rescue workers and troops have been struggling in the mud and water to save lives.
Local media are already putting the number of fatalities at around 90.
The assessment of casualties has been difficult because of the widespread area affected by the rainfall, flooding and landslides.
Authorities warned that landslides could strike even after rain subsides as the calamity shaped up to be potentially the worst in decades.
They also advised people wait for disaster professionals before venturing into damaged homes because of the dangers of exposed electric lines and hazardous material.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday warned of a “race against time” to rescue flood victims, some of whom have resorted to tweeting desperate messages seeking help from emergency services.
In Hiroshima, water streamed through a residential area, strewn with fallen telephone poles, uprooted trees and mud. Some homes were smashed. Others were tilting precariously.
“It gives me a chill thinking what could have happened,” said Eiko Yamane, who recalled realising how suddenly water was seeping the tyres of the car she was driving.
She was able to escape.
“Hiroshima prefecture is normally blessed with mild weather and has few natural disasters so people here have never experienced a situation like this. I guess they’re in a panic.”
In villages across central and western Japan, trapped residents have been forced to take shelter on their rooftops as floods swirl below.
Over 50,000 rescue workers, police and military personnel have been mobilised to respond to the disaster, which has left entire villages submerged by flooding and left just the top of traffic lights visible above the rising waters.
The toll has risen steadily in recent days, with the conditions forcing rescue workers to rely on boats and helicopters to extract trapped civilians.
The death toll has already exceeded the recent most deadliest rain-related disaster in 2014, when at least 74 people were killed in landslides caused by torrential downpours in the Hiroshima region.
courtesy : news.com.au
photo : News of the day
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