Floods In Japan, 20 People Killed In Floods And Landslides

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JAKARTA - The number of fatalities due to floods and landslides that occurred after heavy rains on Kyushu Island, Japan, totaled 20 people, with 14 of them missing. This was the content of the official state television broadcast, NHK, Sunday, July 5, reported by Reuters.

Local authorities predict that heavy rain will still fall for some time to come. Meanwhile, floods have been submerging Kumamoto Prefecture since Saturday, July 4.

This incident is the worst natural disaster in Japan, after Hurricane Hagibis in October last year. The storm killed 90 people.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting with the disaster task force asked officers to step up search and rescue operations.

"Nothing is more important than saving lives. Please work late into the night to search for missing citizens," Abe said after television broadcasts in Japan showed images of overturned cars, residents scooping mud from their homes and soldiers evacuating residents by boat.

"There is no electricity and water," said one resident who survived. "This is a difficult time," he added.

TV broadcasts also showed a fitness center being converted into an evacuation center equipped with masks, disinfectants and thermometers to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Japan Meteorological Agency asked residents to remain vigilant considering that rain is predicted to fall.

"Starting this evening, extreme torrential rain with lightning will fall on the southern and northern regions, including in Kyushu," the government agency said.

"Rain causes the soil's resistance to become brittle. There will likely be landslides, without the need for rain," added the Japan Meteorological Agency.