Japan: Incessant rains kill 199 so far; dozens missing
The toll in record rains that have devastated parts of Japan today rose to 199, with dozens still missing. Yoshihide Suga, a top government official, said that search operations were continuing after the worst weather-related disaster in Japan in over three decades. Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, visited one of the worst-affected regions yesterday, the official added. Here's more.
Abe cancels foreign trip due to rising death toll
Suga said Abe plans to travel to another area hit by deadly flooding and landslides after the rains. The Prime Minister has canceled a four-stop foreign trip due this week as the death toll in the disaster rose. Hopes for finding survivors have faded a week after the rains began, even though the downpours have now stopped and flood waters receded.
Evacuees and rescued people living in shelters
At least 10,000 people who evacuated their homes and those who were rescued are now living in shelters, and the government has pledged to set aside emergency funding to help people return home. "We will do everything we can so that people will not have to continue living in uncomfortable situations in shelters," Abe said at a meeting in the morning.
