Houses toppled, cars washed away and towns swamped with mud: Full extent of Japan flooding devastation revealed as at least 100 die after record rains with more landslides expected
At least 100 people have been killed and more than 60 are missing following floods in south western Japan
Record-breaking rains led to widespread flooding and landslides, with 1.5million forced to leave their homes
73,000 troops and emergency workers have been sent to rescue those stranded and search for the missing
Days of rain finally stopped on Monday morning as sunshine laid bare the extent of the destruction
CHRIS PLEASANCE
DAILYMAIL.COM
9 July 2018
At least 100 people have died and more than 60 are missing after Japan suffered widespread flooding and landslides following the heaviest rains in recorded history.
Around 73,000 troops and emergency workers have been dispatched to search for the missing and to rescue residents left stranded on their rooftops after rivers burst their banks and swamped whole communities.
Days of constant rain finally stopped on Monday and as sunlight broke through the clouds it laid bare the full extent of the devastation.
In Kumano, the downpours loosened earth on the surrounding hillsides, and sent multiple waves of mud crashing down onto the homes below.
The road to the affected area remained impassable, but handfuls of residents made it back, escorted by rescue workers or troops.
Residents returning to their homes were left speechless and unsure where to start the recovery and clean-up due to the extent of the damage.
Seiji Toda was shocked and helpless when he saw his restaurant, which he opened nearly 40 years ago, filled with mud heaped about a yard (1m) from the floor.
Tables, covered with clean white tablecloths before he left, were all mud-covered, chairs thrown to the floor.
‘I had never seen anything like this,’ he said on TBS television, standing outside his restaurant in Hiroshima city while wearing a helmet. He said it would be impossible to clean up the mess by hand.
Right next to his restaurant were heaps of broken trees and other debris. Several cars were still half buried in the mud.
The assessment of casualties has been difficult because of the widespread area affected by the rainfall, flooding and landslides since late last week.
Authorities warned that landslides could strike even after rain subsides as the calamity shaped up to be potentially the worst in decades.
Some homes were smashed. Others were tilting precariously. Rivers overflowed, turning towns into lakes, leaving dozens of people stranded on rooftops. Military paddle boats and helicopters have taken people to safety.
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