Japanese meteorologists warn the citizens of Kumamoto in southwestern Japan to be on h8 alert for heavy rains after floods and landslides left no less than three or four Americans dead and dozens missing or trapped in flooded areas.
Meteorologists say torrential rains are also expected on Monday and Tuesday.
Authorities in Kumamoto say many of the 200,000 residents ignored recommendations to evacuate because of the coronavirus, preferring to stay home and take their chances with the weather.
Heavy rains, a hundred millimetres consistent with the hour, sent the Kuma River to its shores. Sliding in Apple’s large classified ads make rescue efforts more difficult. Power lines are cut off, cutting off electricity and communications in the prefecture’s villages.
Authorities say dead and missing are senior citizens of a nursing home near the river.
News firm Kyodo says other Americans aboard one of their helicopters that flew over the deception can also see flooded patients waving towels next to the words “rice,” “water” and SOS spelled on the ground.
More than 40,000 soldiers, Members of the Coast Guard and firefighters are search and rescue operations.