Tens of thousands of rescue workers in Japan on Monday continued to comb through the wreckage of houses shattered by deadly floods and landslides in a desperate search for survivors.
At least 37 people are feared dead after record rains lashed areas of western Japan early Saturday, causing rivers to break banks and flooding low-lying regions.
According to AFP, a spokesperson for western Kumamoto Prefecture said at least 13 people were still unaccounted for as many isolated communities remained cut off.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a non-compulsory evacuation order for hundreds of
thousands of residents in Kumamoto and Kagoshima Prefecture with up to 250 millimeters of rain expected through Tuesday morning.
Evacuation efforts are also being hampered by fears of the spreading coronavirus, which has infected around 20,000 in the country and claimed nearly 1,000 victims.
Officials said partitions have been set up at shelters to keep distance between families and evacuees are reminded to wash their hands frequently, sanitize and wear face masks.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
