Tokyo: The death toll from mudslides in Hiroshima rose to 50 on Sunday as rescue workers resumed searching for survivors.
Thirty-eight people remained unaccounted for as of 8.00am, according to Hiroshima police. The search, suspended earlier due to weather conditions, restarted in some areas shortly before 11.00am.
Hillsides drenched by several days of rain gave way on 20 August, sending torrents of mud, trees and boulders crashing into homes and buildings in dozens of areas. The search team of about 3,500 including police officers, members of the Japan Self Defence Forces and fire personnel has been hampered in rescue operations by continued downpours that triggered more slides.
The Japan Meteorological Agency maintained an advisory warning of further mudslides today in the western city, as more rain is expected. A record 217.5mm of rain fell in parts of Hiroshima over three hours on 20 August, according to the weather agency.
More than 1,600 people are still sheltering in 13 evacuation centres, public broadcaster NHK reported on its website. Bloomberg
With assistance from Kiyotaka Matsuda in Tokyo.
