Japan floods leave 20 dead, many in nursing homes

Tokyo, July 5

Deep floodwaters and the danger of extra mudslides that left about 20 individuals confirmed or presumed useless hampered search and rescue operations on Sunday in southern Japan, together with at aged house services the place greater than a dozen perished and scores are nonetheless stranded.

Rescue helicopters plucked extra individuals from their houses within the Kumamoto area. Up to 10,000 protection troops, the coast guard and fireplace brigades are collaborating within the operation.

Large areas alongside the Kuma River have been swallowed by floodwaters with many homes, buildings and autos submerged virtually as much as their roofs. Mudslides smashed into homes, sending individuals atop rooftops waiving at rescuers.

At a flooded aged care house in Kuma Village, 14 residents have been presumed useless after rescuers reached them on Saturday, officers stated. Three others had hypothermia.

The rescue continued on Sunday for dozens of different residents and caregivers who have been nonetheless on the riverside care facility Senjuen, the place about 60 individuals have been trapped when floodwaters and dirt gushed in, officers stated.

In Hitoyoshi City, the deluge poured into homes close to the principle practice station. “The water rose to the second floor so fast and I just couldn’t stop shivering,” a 55-year-old lady who was visiting her kin advised the Asahi newspaper.

She and her kin ran upstairs, swam out of the window and finally took refuge on the roof to attend for his or her rescue.

More than 75,000 residents within the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima have been urged to evacuate following pounding rains on Friday night and into Saturday. The evacuation was not necessary and many individuals opted to remain house due to considerations over catching the coronavirus, despite the fact that officers say shelters are adequately outfitted with partitions and different security measures.

Flooding additionally reduce off energy and communication traces, additional delaying the search and rescue. Nearly 6,000 houses in Kumamoto have been nonetheless with out electrical energy Sunday, based on the Kyushu Electric Power Co.

The rainfall that exceeded 100 millimeters (four inches) per hour has since subsided however the Japan Meteorological Agency has saved mudslide warnings in place throughout Kumamoto. — AP