TOKYO, Jul 4 (NNN-NHK) – Two people were dead and about 20 others remained missing yesterday, following a massive mudslide, triggered by torrential rain in central Japan, local authorities said.
The disaster occurred at about 10:30 a.m. local time yesterday in Atami city in Shizuoka prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, as heavy rainfall swept areas along the Pacific coast, in central and eastern Japan.
Authorities said, the mudslide has reached the nearby coast. The two, with no vital signs, were discovered by the coast guard at a port, the prefectural government said.
Around 21,000 households in Atami, a city known for hot spa resorts, were ordered to ensure their safety immediately, as the local government issued the highest level of evacuation alert. Up to 300 households were affected by the mudslide.
Rescue workers are conducting a search operation in the mudslide-stricken area for victims. They received about 10 calls from people who are trapped in their houses.
The Shizuoka prefectural government called for help from the Self-Defence Forces, in disaster relief, and the Ground Self-Defence Force dispatched around 30 personnel to the area in response to the request.
Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, held talks with disaster minister, Yasufumi Tanahashi, over the mudslide and other calamities associated with the rain.
Suga called an emergency meeting with members of his cabinet last night, ordering them to work with local authorities to investigate the scale of the damage and calling on the public to be ready to evacuate and take necessary action to protect themselves.
The government set up a task force at the prime minister’s office to collect information.
The Japan Meteorological Agency urged maximum alert and called on people to be vigilant over mudslides, flooding and swollen rivers.
In the 72-hour period through 11:00 a.m. yesterday, local time, 790 mm rainfall was logged in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, and over 550 mm rain was recorded in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, the agency said.
Due to rising rivers in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, the local government advised residents to ensure their safety, issuing the highest level of evacuation alert, under the basic counter disaster law in the country.
Torrential rain also disrupted public transport system. Shinkansen bullet trains were temporarily halted in sections between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, according to operator, Central Japan Railway Co.
The seasonal rain front is expected to move towards the Sea of Japan coast, over the weekend.– NNN-NHK
