Jul 18 (NHK) - More than a week after torrential rains in western Japan triggered landslides and flooding, over 200 people are dead and 16 are still missing.
Residents and officials working on cleanup and recovery are contending with scorching temperatures expected to continue throughout the week. On Monday, temperatures across most of the region surpassed 35 degrees Celsius.
100,000 households remain without running water.
Hundreds of volunteers have come to the hardest hit areas to help, but they are also being warned of the high risk of heatstroke.
Many homes have suffered severe damage from water, mud and oil, with some homeowners doubtful if they will ever been able to move back in.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered 1,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel and 70 dump trucks to help speed up cleanup efforts.
Officials are facing scrutiny over how they responded to the disaster. Residents of Ehime Prefecture say they were not properly informed before water was released from 2 dams.
Land minister Keiichi Ishii defended the response, but says a panel will review how operate dams more effectively, and how information should be conveyed to residents.
Over 4,500 people are still taking shelter at evacuation centers across 15 prefectures.
Source: ANNnewsCH
