A car damaged by a swollen river is seen after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.Reuters
The death toll from heavy rain and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 16 as the rescue workers reached isolated villages where at least six others are reportedly missing and feared dead. This comes days after Typhoon Nanmadol swept across Japan, triggering floods and mudslides that wrecked hundreds of homes, roads and rice terraces.
According to reports, parts of Fukuoka, on the southwestern island of Kyushu, were hit by 593mm (23 inches) of rain in 48 hours. The meteorological agency said that this is well over a month's rainfall for a usual July in the area. Meanwhile, the authorities have warned of more downpours over the weekend, compounding the misery that the summer storms have brought to the area since Wednesday.
Roads and bridges were damaged or swept away, and dozens of vehicles and houses were destroyed and half covered with mud. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said 12,000 troops and rescuers are focusing on remote villages where hundreds are still stranded. The operation has been slowed down due to mud and floodwaters and more flooding was forecast for the country's east. In this gallery, IBTimes Singapore has compiled a series of images of the devastating Japan floods.
Houses and a vehicle are damaged by a swollen river after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 6, 2017.Reuters
Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers conduct rescue operations after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.Reuters
A firefighter conducts rescue operations in an area damaged by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture.Reuters
An area damaged by swollen river after heavy rain is seen in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture. REUTERS/Issei KatoReuters
Cars damaged by swollen river are seen after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan July 6, 2017.Reuters
Local residents are rescued by firefighters after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 6, 2017.Reuters
A local resident is rescued by a firefighter after heavy rain hit the area in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 6, 2017.Reuters
A flooded road with fallen rocks is pictured in Hita in Oita Prefecture, Japan, after torrential rain hits, in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 5, 2017.Reuters
Firefighters rescue people with a boat in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 6, 2017.Reuters
A man walks through a flooded street in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 5, 2017.Reuters
Evacuated people stay at a civic center, after heavy rain in Masuda, Japan July 5, 2017.Reuters
Debris is seen stuck at a railway bridge after heavy rain, at Hikosan Rive in Soeda, Japan July 5, 2017.Reuters
