JAPAN: Death toll from floods, landslides rises to 114

The death toll arising from floods and landslides in southwestern Japan caused by heavy downpour has risen from 62 to 114 according to reports.

That much information was revealed by the national public broadcaster, NHK which was quoted as saying that the death toll “may rise” as the extent of the damage caused by the heavy rains remains unknown.

Reports say the situation has forced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to cancel a four-country foreign trip.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office revealed that Abe was expected to visit Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt from Wednesday but the rising death toll has forced him to shelve the trip.

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Reports say the heavy rains caused widespread flooding, set off landslides and also sent rivers surging over their banks, trapping many people in their houses or on rooftops.

The rains have reportedly forced several millions of people from their homes, with more rain set to hit some areas for at least another day.

An emergency management centre has been set up by the Japanese government at the prime minister’s office with some 54,000 rescuers from the military, police and fire departments dispatched across a wide swath of southwestern and western Japan.

 

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