Japan floods: 100 dead in record rainfall, rescue ops underway

Tokyo, July 9: The Japan government's top spokesman said that the devastating floods have claimed 100 lives as search-and-rescue operations continued.

News agency AFP reported that 87 people had been confirmed dead from the severe floods, with another 13 found with no vital signs, adding that more than a dozen people were still missing.

According to reports, almost 2 million people were still subject to evacuation orders, while tens of thousands of rescue workers battled mud, water and rubble to search for survivors stranded in their homes.

The heaviest rainfall seen in Japan for decades has caused destruction over large parts of the country, particularly in the south-west, where 58 people are missing.

Rescue operations underway

A helicopter flies over a flooded housing area in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture, western Japan Monday, July 9, 2018. People prepared for risky search and cleanup efforts in southwestern Japan on Monday, where several days of heavy rainfall had set off flooding and landslides in a widespread area. AP/PTI

A resident is rescued

In this July 7, 2018 photo, a resident is rescued in a flooded area in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture, following heavy rain. Heavy rainfall hammered southern Japan for the third day, prompting new disaster warnings on Kyushu and Shikoku islands Sunday. AP/PTI

Mudslide caused by floods

Houses are damaged by mudslide following heavy rains in Kure city, Hiroshima prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 7, 2018. Heavy rainfall hammered southern Japan for the third day, prompting new disaster warnings on Kyushu and Shikoku islands Sunday.AP/PTI

The compound of a junior high school is submerged

The compound of a junior high school is submerged after heavy rains in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 7, 2018. Heavy rainfall hammered southern Japan for the third day, prompting new disaster warnings on Kyushu and Shikoku islands Sunday.AP/PTI