Japan floods: Death toll rises to 66

Bloomberg

Flooding and landslides throughout western Japan have killed at least 66 people, forced thousands from their homes, knocked out electricity and halted operations at companies ranging from Panasonic Corp. to Amazon.com Inc.
The death toll from what’s described as “historical rainfall” nearly tripled on Sunday from July 7, with local television showing overflowing rivers, submerged vehicles, collapsed roads and homes crushed under landslides.
More than 40 people were missing, while evacuation orders remained in place for 4.3 million people, according to Kyodo. The government maintained flood warnings on Sunday as rain continued to fall.
“Record rainfall in each region is resulting in the overflowing of rivers, heavy flooding and numerous landslides,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.
“About 54,000 personnel and 41 helicopters from
police and fire departments, Self-Defense Forces, and the Coast Guard are conducting search-and-rescue operations at full strength.”
More than 1,000 people were stranded and
awaiting rescue in Kurashiki, Okayama, a popular tourist town known, NHK reported.
Casualties in Hiroshima prefecture were heaviest with 28, followed by Aichi prefecture at 18, according to Kyodo.