Heavy rainfall triggers deadly mudslide in Japan
13 August 2021, 10:34
Four people are thought to have died.
Up to four people are feared to have died after torrential rain pounding south-western Japan triggered a mudslide, and threatened to cause more flooding and more landslides in the region.
The mudslide in the city of Unzen in Nagasaki prefecture hit two houses, with four residents inside.
A woman in her 50s was pronounced dead, while a man in his 60s was seriously injured, according to Unzen city officials. Rescue workers are searching for the two other residents.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued heavy rain and mudslide warnings in parts of the southern main island of Kyushu.
Earlier warnings for Hiroshima in western Japan, where record rainfall fell earlier this week, were downgraded as rains subsided.
Television footage on NHK public broadcaster showed rivers swollen with muddy water close to overflowing in Hiroshima.
The meteorological agency said nearly 20in of rain fell in parts of Nagasaki in the past 48 hours, exceeding the average for the month of August. More downpours were forecast.
Local authorities issued evacuation advisories to high-risk areas in those regions, affecting more than three million residents, but the measure is non-compulsory and only a fraction usually evacuate.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called a disaster management meeting and pledged to do the utmost for the rescue and relief operation and support for the affected residents.
