TOKYO, Oct 15 (NNN-XINHUA) – Typhoon Hagibis, which swept across central and eastern Japan on Saturday and Sunday, claimed at least 66 lives, as search-and-rescue operations continued in flood- and landslide-hit areas of Nagano and other prefectures.
In addition, 14 people are listed as missing, and more than 100 others were injured, during the weekend storm. The number of injured is expected to rise during further search and rescue operations.
As of Monday afternoon, about 38,000 people in 17 prefectures had evacuated their homes, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said, at a disaster task force meeting that, the government will do its utmost to support those affected by the typhoon and its after-effects, vowing to improve conditions at evacuation centres and shelters, without waiting for requests from local governments.
“There are concerns that the impact on lives and economic activities may persist,” he said. “We will respond as best we can, as we continue to think about those who are suffering.”
Defence Minister, Taro Kono, told senior officials at a special Ministry of Defence meeting, to ensure the Self-Defence Forces (SDF) makes its best efforts in responding to the disaster, adding that, the first 72 hours that follow a disaster are crucial when it comes to saving lives.
The SDF, police and firefighters are carrying out operations in the wake of the typhoon. By Monday morning, some 31,000 personnel have been mobilised to carry out rescue operations that had saved 1,518 people, said the ministry.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, a total of 21 rivers in Nagano, Fukushima, Ibaraki and three other prefectures are flooded.
In the central city of Nagano, workers used more than 20 pumping vehicles to help assess damage to the drainage system caused when the Chikuma River’s embankment collapsed.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Japan confirmed to Xinhua that, five Chinese crew members died, one missing and another rescued, after a Panama registered cargo ship sank, late Saturday in Tokyo Bay, where it was anchored as the Typhoon approached.
The embassy posted a warning on its official website, urging Chinese tourists to pay attention to the weather, adjust their itinerary in advance, and stay away from rivers, beaches and mountains, to avoid natural disasters, such as floods or landslides.– NNN-XINHUA
