Japan Flood: Survivors face an uncertain future as rescue continues

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02:23

To Japan, where 200 people are dead and several dozen people are missing after record rainfall devastated the country's southwest. Thousands of police, firemen, and troops are still conducting search and rescue operations, while survivors face an uncertain future. Mayu Yoshida has more.

Three days after torrential rain flooded their home, the Nakagami family can finally start cleaning up. They remove damaged furniture and home appliances with the help of family and friends. They salvage priceless items and even dig up a family album. The Nakagamis are among thousands of residents in this small town in Japan's Okayama prefecture that was inundated.

SHIGENOBU NAKAGAMI RESIDENT OF KURASHIKI, OKAYAMA PREFECTURE "You can't fight the weather, but I guess I have to put up with this situation. All I can do now is to clean up this mess."

It's the worst weather-related disaster in 36 years.

Many of the victims were buried under landslides triggered by the rain.

MAYU YOSHIDA CGTN REPORTER "This part of Okayama prefecture is one of the worst-hit areas. Rivers could not handle sudden surge rain that eventually collapsed banks and triggered the flood. People are now more focus on cleanup efforts and are removing mud and debris from workplaces and homes."

Residents say the disaster was preventable.

For years, they've asked the local government to remove debris from the riverbed that is believed to have blocked the river flow.

KAZUNOBU KITAHARA RESIDENT OF KURASHIKI, OKAYAMA PREFECTURE "After the flood, residents were saying this could've been avoided because we were warned of about flooding even at elementary school. We were asking the local government to remove rotten trees and garbage from the river."

Experts, meanwhile, say residents were unaware of the hazard maps that show risks of landslides.

Some also claim the country is more focused on preparing for earthquakes rather than other natural disasters.

The government pledged 4-billion US dollars for recovery and promised to add more if needed.

For survivors like the Nakagami family, this is just the beginning of their recovery.