1 dead, 22 missing in torrential rain in Japan

September 2015 – JAPAN – One person is dead and 22 people are missing after record-breaking rain pounded the Kanto and Tohoku regions, causing widespread flooding and resulting in an evacuation advisory being issued to more than 1 million residents. An emergency warning for heavy rain was issued in Miyagi Prefecture at about 3:20 a.m. on Friday. Similar warnings had been issued for Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures on Thursday.

According to authorities, a 63-year-old woman died after being caught in a landslide in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, and homes were washed away in Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture, after the Kinugawa river broke its banks. Dozens of people were rescued by helicopter after becoming stranded in their homes. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun tally, at least 25 people have been injured. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, had received 614 millimeters of rain in the 48 hours to 6 p.m. Thursday, while 483 millimeters had fallen in Kanuma. Some services on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line have been suspended due to the rain. –Daily Star