At least, six people have died and 10 others missing after heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides along a peninsula in Japan that is still recovering from a deadly earthquake at the start of the year.
According to public broadcaster NHK, six people were confirmed dead while Kyodo news agency said that more than 100 communities were cut off by blocked highways when over two dozen rivers burst their banks.
Two of the deaths occurred near a landslide-damaged tunnel in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, which was being repaired following damage caused by the New Year’s Day earthquake.
The rain has left 4,000 houses without power, and military forces were dispatched to the region to assist rescue workers over the weekend, as tens of thousands of inhabitants were encouraged to leave.
Rainfall at Wajima and the adjoining city of Suzu exceeded normal September amounts.
The Japanese meteorological office has modified its “special warnings” for the area to “warnings,” but inhabitants should stay watchful.
The prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has asked officials to monitor the damage and collaborate with local authorities while the region is still healing from the beginning of the year’s earthquake.
Written by Cheta Enyoghasi
