Heavy rain sweeps southern Japan, 4 dead

Tokyo, July 23: At least four people died and one is missing after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu, local officials said today.

The rain was heaviest in Kagoshima on the southern tip of Kyushu, 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo, where more than 120 cm of rain had fallen since last Tuesday.

Weathermen warned that more rain of up to 25 cm was expected over the same area in the next 24 hours.

An 86-year-old woman died after being washed away by a flooded river and a 45-year-old man died after being swept up by a mudslide, officials said.

They said about 60,000 local residents were urged to evacuate.

Local governments called on the military to help with rescue operations.

Last week, at least 18 people died and several were left missing across Japan after several days of heavy rain touched off floods and landslides.

Reuters