NAGANO, Japan (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of troops and rescue workers were sent in here on Sunday to save stranded residents and fight floods caused by one of the worst typhoons to hit the country in recent history.
At least 30 people were killed in the typhoon that left vast sections of towns under water, CNA quoted public broadcaster NHK saying. Another 15 were missing and 177 injured by Typhoon Hagibis, which paralysed Tokyo on Saturday and dumped record levels of rain around Japan. About 100,000 homes were left without power.
Rescue efforts were hindered after more than 20 rivers in central and northeastern Japan burst their banks and dozens more overflowed although their banks were still in tact, NHK said, adding that flooding rivers could cause more damage.
Evacuation centres filled with residents, while some people perished as they sought shelter, NHK said, adding a 77-year-old woman fell about 40 metres to her death during an airlift.
