Deep waterfalls and greater flood hazards have confirmed Sunday search and rescue operations in southern Japan that killed nearly 20 people or more, including elderly housing, where more than a dozen disabilities and scores are still trapped.
Rescue helicopters and boats killed more people from their homes in the Kumamoto area. More than 10,000 Defense Forces, Coast Guard, and Fire Brigade are participating in this operation.
Large areas along the banks of the Kuma River swallowed the floodwaters, which overwhelmed many houses, buildings, and vehicles. Mudslides infiltrate homes and send guards to the roofs.
Officials said 14 people were killed in Kuma village on Saturday. Rescuers came to look after the flooded elderly. Three others had hypothermia.
Authorities say the rescue is ongoing for dozens of other people and guardians at the Riverfront facility in Shenzhen, which is home to about 60 floodwaters and mudslides.
Overall, Kumamoto officials said they could confirm the deaths of 18 people, including 14 in the nursing home, as they continue to assess the extent of the damage. NHK Television confirmed 16 dead, another 16 dead and 14 still missing.
In the city of Hitoyoshi, homes flooded near the main train station. "The water went very fast to the second floor and I was trembling," a 55-year-old woman who was going to see her relatives told the Asahi newspaper.
He and his relatives ran upstairs, peeked out the window, and finally found shelter on the roof to protect themselves.
On Sunday, flooding diminished in parts of Kumamoto, with vending machines and cars lined with muddy streets. Some were cleaning their homes, removing damaged furniture, and plastering with mud.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, more than 200,000 residents have been asked to stop the torrential rains on Friday evening and Saturday. But the evacuation was not mandatory and many chose to stay inside the home because of concerns about catching the coronavirus, although officials said there were insufficient partitions and other security measures in the shelters.
Floods also cut off power and communication lines, delaying search and rescue. According to Kyushu Electric Power Company, about 6,000 homes in Kumamoto are still without electricity.
Rainfall of more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) per hour has stopped, but the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that landslides could occur in Kumamoto.
0 Comments