Japan’s floodwater kills 55, dozen missing

At least 55 people have died and a dozen remain missing after floodwaters flowed down streets in southern Japanese towns hit by heavy rains that were expanding across the region on Tuesday.

Pounding rain since late Friday in the southern region of Kyushu has triggered widespread flooding.

According to Fire and Disaster Management Agency said 49 victims were from riverside towns in Kumamoto prefecture. Another victim was a woman in her 80s found inside her flooded home in another prefecture.

About 3 million residents were advised to evacuate across Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island.

Tens of thousands of army troops, police and other rescue workers mobilized from around the country worked their way through mud and debris in the hardest-hit riverside towns along the Kuma River. Rescue operations have been hampered by the floodwater and continuing harsh weather.

The Mikuma River burst its banks as widespread flooding continued in southwestern Japan. The death toll has passed 50. https://t.co/8lgRZkHBOK pic.twitter.com/lRGuXntIyO

— ABC News (@ABC) July 8, 2020