At least eight people are missing after days of heavy rains in Japan. Tens of thousands are stranded after river banks burst.
ADVERTISEMENTDramatic footage has emerged showing helicopter rescue operations in Japan after days of heavy rain caused river banks to burst in cities north of Tokyo.
At least eight people are missing and more than 90,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. And the situation seems set to become worse before it improves, with tropical storm Kilo predicted to hit parts of Japan by Friday night (September 11).
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought to reassure those affected.
“There is concern that the region will see even more heavy rain,” he said. “The government will work as one to prioritise the safety of the people and do our best to prevent any further disaster.”
Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures have been the worst hit areas.
National broadcaster NHK said more than 500 millimetres of rain fell between Wednesday and Thursday (September 9-10). That is double the amount that usually falls in the region for all of September.
Roads were blocked and landslides and mudslides were triggered by rain in mountainous areas.