Death Toll Rises from Mudslides, Flooding in Japan

Rescue operations resumed in southwestern Japan early Sunday morning, as the death toll from mudslides and flooding rose to 24, with more than 5,000 stranded.

Three days of heavy rains forced thousands to evacuate cities and villages on Kyushu, the main island in southern Japan. A record 20 inches fell on the city of Aso Saturday, collapsing 145 homes and flooding more than 800, Bloomberg News reported.

Military helicopters resumed delivery of emergency rations, clean water and medical supplies to stranded villagers in mountainous areas in Yame, Fukuoka prefecture in northern Kyushu. Rescue helicopters transported some of the elderly and injured villagers to hospitals.

At least eight villagers are still missing and 24 confirmed dead, local authorities reported. While the heavy rain eased on Sunday, meteorologists cautioned residents to be on the lookout for more rain, accompanied by strong wind and possible tornadoes.

"A peak of heavy rain in northern Kyushu has passed, but there is fear that driving rain with thunder may hit northern Kyushu," the Japan Meteorological Agency reported Sunday morning.

Source: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/July/Death-Toll-Rises-from-Mudslides-Flooding-in-Japan/

peter paul and mary edgar rice burroughs dallas clark litter marinol flight attendant pau gasol trade