Heavy torrential rain kills 10 in Japan

Rescue workers were unable to reach some of the areas as heavy rain pounded southern Japan, especially the southwestern island of Kyushu, on Thursday, leaving many buried under landslides.

“Particularly in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, we are seeing the heaviest rain that (the region) has ever experienced,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The agency added that rainfall in some parts of the island had reached nearly 100 millimeters in an hour with more heavy rain and landslides expected in northern parts of Kyushu before the downpours move north to the main island of Honshu

Blackouts hit about 10,000 households in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, while authorities in the prefectural capital of Kumamoto ordered about 50,000 residents to leave the city.

Military troops have been deployed to the region for disaster relief efforts at the request of local governors.

Railway services and motor traffic were also suspended, while some bullet train services were temporarily halted in the island’s north and center.

PG/SS

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