Jul 03 (NHK) - Officials in Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan say two people have been found without vital signs and about 20 others remain unaccounted for after a series of mudslides swept away several houses on Saturday.
The officials say the two were found in the sea off the city of Atami.
They say the mudslides occurred at around 10:30 a.m. on a river in the city's Izusan district, and the mud flowed about one kilometer down to the sea.
Firefighters, police, and Self-Defense Forces personnel are taking part in the search for the missing.
Torrential rain has been lashing areas along Japan's Pacific coast since early Saturday.
City officials issued an evacuation order for around 20,000 households after the mudslides. People have been told to ensure their safety.
One resident told NHK that he fled to higher ground after the mudslides occurred nearby. Another said he heard the mudslides before he saw them, as they washed away houses and utility poles.
Meteorological Agency officials say the downpours are due to a lingering seasonal rain front. Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures are being hit the hardest.
The officials say Atami City has already seen more than the average rainfall for the whole of the month of July.
Authorities have issued landslide warnings for parts of Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures.
The authorities warn there could be more landslides, swollen rivers and flooding in low-lying areas. They're asking people to keep up-to-date with the latest evacuation information.
Source: ANNnewsCH
