At Least 85 Dead In Japan Flooding, Landslides Caused By Historic Rainfall
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KYOTO, Japan (CBS/CNN) -- Dozens of people have been killed and 2 million forced to flee their homes after record rains pounded southwest Japan, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides.
Authorities said that 85 people are dead, 6 are in critical condition and at least 58 are missing, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
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"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," Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Sunday.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged. In all, eight prefectures have been affected, including Kyoto and Hiroshima.
"I went to my father's family home but it was hopeless," one man said. "We were hoping to find two people but still can't find one."
The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded its alert system to the highest level in large areas of western Japan, while lifting the warning in other regions.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported about 364 millimeters (14.3 inches) of rain fell between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the city of Uwajima -- approximately 1.5 times the average monthly rainfall for July.
In Sukumo City in Kochi prefecture, 263 millimeters (10.3 inches) of rain fell in two hours, NHK reported.
At least 4 million people have been advised to evacuate surrounding areas.
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Meteorologists fear that this historic rainfall could lead to more landslides.
Government officials are warning people in affected areas they are at risk for landslides, flooding, wind gusts and other extreme weather conditions.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said 54,000 personnel had been mobilized for search-and-rescue efforts, NHK reported.
Experts expect the heavy rain to continue through Sunday.
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