About 20 Unaccounted For After Mudslides In Japan
Officials in Shizuoka Prefecture say they're still trying to confirm the safety of about 20 people after mudslides swept away homes in a coastal city.
The disaster, which struck in Atami City, occurred as torrential rain lashed areas along the Pacific coast of Japan on Saturday.
Fire department officials say a resident living near the Izusan area informed them that landslides had struck at around 10:30 am Japan time.
They say several houses were destroyed.
Police, firefighters, and Self-Defense Force personnel are searching for people who are still unaccounted for.
One resident who witnessed the mudslides told NHK that he fled to higher ground.
Meteorological Agency officials say the downpours are the result of a lingering seasonal rain front. Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures are getting the worst of it.
The officials say Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture has already seen more than the average rainfall for whole of July.
They are warning there could be more landslides, swollen rivers and flooding in low-lying areas.
Evacuation orders have been issued for people in parts of Kanagawa, Chiba and Shizuoka prefectures.
In Kanagawa's Hiratsuka City, officials have issued the highest level of evacuation order. People there have been told to "secure safety immediately."
The authorities have issued landslide warnings for parts of Shizuoka, Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures.
Some rivers have already exceeded the flood danger level.
Weather officials are forecasting heavy rain for the Tokai and Kanto-Koshin areas on Saturday.
And they're asking people to stay up-to-date with the latest evacuation information.