Oct 15 (NHK) - Emergency crews across Japan are racing against time to rescue over a dozen people who are still missing after Typhoon Hagibis ravaged the nation over the weekend. Authorities say the death toll stands at 58.
More than 200 were injured during the weekend storm. Officials say many areas received up to 40 percent of their yearly rainfall in only a day or two.
The storm caused about 200 rivers to overflow. Levees burst on about 50, flooding streets and residential areas. Among them ... the Chikuma River in Nagano Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo.
Houses across the region were flooded. Muddy waters are hampering cleanup efforts.
A resident said, "The home where I've lived for many years has been devastated. I couldn't hold back my tears when I came back from a shelter and realized what had happened."
The floodwaters have also crippled one of Nagano's major industries: apple farming.
A apple farmer said, "They are no longer fit for sale, not even for juice because they're covered in fine dust. I have to toss them all. It makes me sad that I can't provide my customers with my apples."
A maintenance yard for the Hokuriku bullet train line was also swamped. Its operator says 10 trains and their 120 carriages were damaged when water levels rose by an estimated 4 meters.
Land ministry officials say they've received reports of about 140 landslides across the country.
In Gunma Prefecture north of Tokyo, three people were killed when their homes were washed away.
Relief efforts are ongoing as the full extent of the damage is assessed.
NHK has learned that floodwaters reached the first floor of about 8,000 houses and 800 others were damaged to some extent.
Authorities are urging people to remain cautious near swollen rivers and to be on the alert for possible landslides.
Source: ANNnewsCH
