Typhoon Hagibis: Japan Deploys Thousnads of Troops & Rescuers After Worst Storm in Decades
More than 110,000 rescuers and army are taking part in search and rescue operations to save stranded residents and fight floods caused by one of the worst typhoons to hit the country in recent history.
The typhoon – the worst storm to hit the country in decades – has left at least 44 dead, at least 186 people had been injured with 20 remain missing.
The typhoon has weakened and moved away from land but has left a trail of destruction.
According to the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s office, “record-setting heavy rains and windstorms have caused flooding and landslides.”
Thousands of police officers, fire fighters, coast guard, and military are now working to reach those trapped by landslides and floods.
Rescue efforts were hindered after more than 20 rivers in central and northeastern Japan burst their banks and dozens more overflowed although their banks were still in tact, local media said, adding that flooding rivers could cause more damage.
More than 230,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm, with emergency orders issued for many cities around the greater Tokyo area.
A train depot in Nagano was also flooded, causing 10 high speed trains to be submerged. Each train has been valued at $30m (£23m).
Around 92,000 households remain without power – down from 262,000 households on Sunday – with 120,000 experiencing water outages.
The capital Tokyo was left relatively unscathed but other cities and towns across the country were inundated by water.
More than 1m (3ft) of rain fell in the town of Hakone, the highest total ever recorded in Japan over 48 hours.
In Nagano, levees along the Chikuma river gave way, sending flood water into residential areas.
Typhoon Hagibis also caused the cancellation of three Rugby World Cup matches but the key match between Japan and Scotland went ahead.
