Japan: Residents of two prefectures ordered to evacuate

Torrential rain in the southwestern Japan prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima triggered massive flooding Saturday, washing away homes and prompting local governments to order more than 200,000 residents to take shelter, Report says, citing TASS.

Two people rescued from a mudslide in Tsunagi showed no vital signs, the Kumamoto prefectural government said. There were also reports that around 13 people could not be contacted in one of the prefecture’s flood-hit towns.

Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture had seen record precipitation of 98 millimeters per hour. With the Kuma River in Kumamoto overflowing and causing extensive flooding, the prefectural government requested the dispatch of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel for disaster relief work.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told an emergency meeting with some ministers that about 10,000 SDF troops would be mobilized for relief efforts, ordering the immediate shipment of relief supplies for affected residents.