Floodwaters Roar in Japan as Death Toll Passes 50

The death toll from severe flooding in Japan stood at 53 on July 7, a figure that was expected to rise with many residents still missing in areas hit by intense rain and landslides.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on July 6 that the heavy rain was likely to continue until July 8. He added: “I urge the public … to pay close attention to information from local authorities and take actions to protect your own lives without letting their guard down.”

NHK said that some parts of Japan were experiencing levels of rainfall not seen in several decades.

Flooding spread beyond the hardest-hit prefectures of Kumamoto and Fukuoka, with this video showing the Mikuma River. The river is a tributary of the Chikugo river, the largest river in Kyushu, which burst its banks, according to the Japan Times, causing flooding in towns including Hita, where this video was filmed. Credit: @tiranox via Storyful