Society

Rescuers, clean-up volunteers struggle in heat

Jul 15 (NHK) - People in western Japan are contending with scorching heat as they pick through the debris left by record rain, flooding and landslides.

Volunteers have joined the clean-up effort in Kurashiki city in Okayama Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit areas.

Roughly 1,000 people are expected to help residents clear mud and water-logged furniture from their homes.

As temperatures soar to the mid-30s, officials are warning people working outside to take extra care.

There are reports that some volunteers have been taken to hospital for symptoms of heat stroke.

Last week's disaster killed more than 200 people. Over 30 are still missing, many of them in Hiroshima Prefecture. Rescue teams there are working around the clock to find them.

Authorities estimate the devastating floods inundated more than 14,000 homes. They say they could revise that number up.

Thousands of households are still without running water.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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