Millions Evacuated in Japan After Heavy Floods and Landslides Kill Dozens

Tourists visiting a temple in Kyoto prior to the flooding

Record rainfall continued to pound southwest Japan as officials pleaded with residents to leave their homes after flooding and landslides killed several dozen people.

“The record rainfalls in various parts of the country have caused rivers to burst their banks, and triggered large scale floods and landslides in several areas,” said Yoshihide Suda, the country’s chief cabinet secretary.

The situation is affecting eight prefectures in the region including Hiroshima and Kyoto.

Government officials have told over four million people to evacuate to safer locations such as school buildings or evacuation shelters.

The rainfall in the region has broken multiple records. In a two hour period, over 14.3” (364 mm) of rain fell in Uwajima, more than 1.5 times the average monthly rainfall for the city.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)