Heavy Floods Hit Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, 20 People May Be Stuck In The Tunnel Due To Landslides

A large flood hit Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by an earthquake in early January. (Doc. X/@joboji)

JAKARTA - Japanese authorities have asked tens of thousands of people to flee Ishikawa Prefecture which is said to have never happened before and triggered floods and landslides.

One person died and 20 other people were feared to be trapped in a tunnel following a landslide caused by heavy rains in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, September 21.

The tunnel, which is located in the coastal town of Wajima, was damaged by the earthquake on January 1, which destroyed Wajima and a nearby city of Suzu.

Kyodo, citing local authorities, said that more than 10 people in Wakima disappeared after heavy rains flushed the prefecture.

Around 44,500 residents in Wajima City, Suzu and also Noto were asked to evacuate.

The NHK broadcaster report reports that rain with an intensity of more than 11.8 inches hit Wakima all day.

Meanwhile, the city of Suzu also recorded rainfall of more than 7.8 inches. Apart from landslides, the rain also caused 16 rivers in Ishikawa Prefecture to overflow.