Areas hit by Typhoon Hagibis brace for more floods as heavy rain falls in Japan
- Japan is still reeling from Typhoon Hagibis, which claimed the lives of at least 79 people
- But heavy rain is forecast over the weekend, potentially causing more flooding and landslides
In Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, 110 millimetres of rain per hour was recorded on Saturday morning, while at least 28 homes and stores were confirmed inundated in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, with a river overflowing, according to local governments.
A low-pressure system that is bringing heavy rain is expected to proceed to the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
At least 13 municipalities in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, hit hard by Typhoon Hagibis, said they cancelled plans to solicit volunteers out of concern for their safety, despite the urgent need to speed up recovery efforts.
“All will be over if more heavy rain comes,” Satsuki Hikichi, a 78-year-old resident of the town of Marumori, Miyagi, said at a school building used as an evacuation centre.
Municipalities hit by the disaster are struggling with massive wastes such as flood-soaked furniture and home appliances.