Japan Torrential Rains: 141 dead, over 80 missing in floods, landslides

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02:01

In Japan, 141 people have died and over 80 are missing after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides. Kyodo News service says it is the biggest rain-related disaster to hit Japan in the past 30 years.

Since the 5th of this month, Japan has been hit by rare rainstorms. On Monday, the rains triggered floods and landslides, leaving more victims.

In one of the hardest-hit areas, Okayama Prefecture, a riverbank in Kurashiki City was breached, causing one third of the city to be flooded. Thousands of people were trapped on roofs and rescued with helicopters and lifeboats. The government estimates that about 4,600 homes have been flooded, and thousands of people have evacuated.

VICTIM OKAYAMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN "The ground floor of my house was completely flooded. The second floor was also flooded by about 10 centimeters. If we don't get settled here, we can't live at home. There is no drinking water, electricity or gas at home."

Authorities say it could take two weeks to drain the water. Schools located on relatively high ground have become a sanctuary for victims. Confronted with post-disaster life, however, many have expressed their worries.

VICTIM OKAYAMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN "I have no idea when I can go back home. It could be one or two years later. I was thinking about living somewhere else, yet still don't know what will happen in the future."

In Hiroshima Prefecture, landslides occurred in several places. Meanwhile, large quantities of soil, silt and drifting wood brought by torrential rains have blocked traffic. Rescuers have continued searching and started to clean up.

Some victims have been able to return home in other prefectures. Yet traffic in many disaster areas is still being restored, including dozens of roads, highways and railways. According to Japanese media, this rainstorm is the worst of its kind in Japan since the Nagasaki flood in the 1980s.