Tokyo, July 9: At least 100 people have been feared dead while two million people forced to flee their homes after heavy rains lash southwest Japan. Japan Times reported that more than 50 people were believed to be missing. In July, western Japan have experienced three times more rainfall than usual. “We've never experienced this kind of rain before,” reported BBC quoting a weather official.

Search operations to rescue survivors resumed on Monday. According to media reports, the water level in the area is receding, and rescue teams have started their operations. Heavy rains have hit Hiroshima badly. Most of the deaths occurred in the city. While talking to reporters, Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe said that the rescuers were working against time. Quoting Abe, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that 54,000 had been mobilised for search-and-rescue efforts.

Heavy rains lash southwest Japan:

According to BBC’s report, in the town of Motoyama, on Shikoku island, 583mm of rainfall recorded between Friday morning and Saturday morning. Around 250 mm rainfall is predicted in some parts of the country on Monday. Government officials have also warned people of landslides, flooding, wind gusts and other extreme weather conditions in the affected areas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2018 01:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).