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| Rescuers are searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu. (Photo by=AFP/STR) |
[아시아뉴스통신=레악카나 기자] Tens of thousands of rescue workers in Japan on Monday (Jul 6) combed through the wreckage of houses shattered by deadly floods and landslides in a desperate search for survivors as the death toll rose and more torrential rain loomed. Around 37 people are feared dead after record rains lashed areas of western Japan in the early hours of Saturday, causing rivers to break banks and flooding low-lying regions.
Although the rain has subsided from its peak levels, the floods washed away roads and bridges, leaving many in isolated communities cut off. In one of the hardest-hit areas, residents spelled the words "rice, water, SOS" on the ground, while others waved towels and called for rescue and relief goods. Evacuation efforts are being hampered by fears of spreading the coronavirus.
Partitions have been set up at evacuation centres to keep distance between families and evacuees are made to wash their hands frequently, sanitise and wear face masks. Heavy rain is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon.Japan is in the middle annual rainy season which causes deadly floods and landslides. Climate change plays a role because a warmer atmosphere holds more water, increasing the risk and intensity of flooding from extreme rainfall.
