Rainfall in southwestern Japan has led to major flooding and landslides in Kumamoto prefecture, which is the worst affected region. And another 30 districts in the prefecture have been isolated as a result of the weather.
According to Chief Secretary Yoshihide Suga, so far 21 people have been confirmed dead, a figure that is expected to rise by another 18, as yet unconfirmed, deaths. In addition, 13 people are missing.
"I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who have fallen victim to the skyfall," Suga said at a press conference, adding that around 40,000 members of the Japanese Civil Defense are involved in the rescue work.
The skyfall is the worst natural disaster that has hit Japan since the typhoon Hagibis last October where 90 people lost their lives.
So far, 200,000 people in Kumamoto have been asked to leave their homes. But since the evacuation was not mandatory, many have chosen to stay in their homes for fear of being infected by the corona virus, despite authorities saying that measures to minimize the risk of infection have been taken at the evacuation centers that exist, AP writes.