WEB DESK
In Japan, the death toll from heavy rains and floods in the southern part of the country has risen to 18. Officials said, 25 people are missing, as rescue teams continued their search for survivors. Swathes of Kyushu – the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands – have been left devastated after overflowing rivers and torrential downpours swept away roads, houses and schools.
Thousands of people have been evacuated to makeshift shelters, but many remain stranded. Public broadcaster NHK said more than 500 people were still cut off with collapsed bridges and waterlogged ground on steep hillsides hampering rescue efforts.
Japan’s weather agency has warned of continued heavy rains and mudslides in northern Kyushu.