14 people are feared dead after heavy rains triggered massive floods in Japan on 5 July, 2020. It is said that a nursing home was flooded causing death.
The massive floods were centered in Kagoshima and Kumamoto of Kyushu island. Authorities have issued evacuation advisories for over 200,000 residents.
Also, at least 10 were presumed to be missing and several were stranded on rooftops waiting to be rescued.
The Governor Ikuo Kabashima says that victims were in “cardio-respiratory arrest” which is a state before doctors officially certify a person dead.
He also said that a nearby river broke its banks causing a gush of water flooding into the nursing home.
“The Self-Defence Forces have launched rescue operations,” Kabashima said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepped in ordering 10,000 troops to engage in rescue and recovery operations. He assured the people that they would prioritise the lives of the people and do their best to take emergency measures.
Earlier, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings of tremendous rain in parts of Kumamoto, about 1,000km southwest of Tokyo. It later devalued them to rainfall about 100mm.
Source: AFP