16 Dead In Floods In Kumamoto


16 dead in floods in Kumamoto

The death toll from floods and landslides caused by heavy rain in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, has reached 16. Authorities say 17 other people have no vital signs and 13 are missing.

The record rain on Saturday inundated many residential areas, although the downpour has eased for now.

Two rivers have overflown at 11 locations.

The city of Hitoyoshi confirmed the deaths of nine people on Sunday, bringing the total fatalities in the prefecture to 16.

About 50 people were stranded at a nursing home in a flooded area of the village of Kuma. Fourteen of them were found without vital signs.

Authorities say Self-Defense Force members worked overnight to transfer some elderly residents from the facility to a hospital.

Around 30 districts of the prefecture, including the village of Sagara, have been cut off by floods and landslides.