Japan's Typhoon Hagibis death toll rises to 66

MANILA, Philippines – Death toll in the devastating Typhoon Hagibis that hit Japan continues to rise.
Japan's Typhoon Hagibis death toll rises to 66

Death toll continues to rise after Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan
Death toll continues to rise after Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan | Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Newsypeople

Emergency rescuers continue to look for stranded and missing residents. Death toll on Tuesday has reached 66 while 15 people remain missing. Over 200 were injured as countless properties were ravaged by Typhoon Hagibis.

Three days after Japan was hit by the biggest typhoon they have had since 1958, 138,000 households still have no water while 24,000 are still affected by power outages.

The highest death toll is in Fukushima prefecture north of Tokyo. As many as 25 died, most were elderly, after leeves burst in at least 14 places along the Abukuma River. Among those who died is a mother and a child who got trapped in floodwaters, another child remains missing.

Japan's Typhoon Hagibis death toll rises to 66
Some areas remain flooded Photo Courtesy: NHK Japan

Survivors said they were caught off guard as water rose rapidly to chest height in an hour and mostly at night time.

According to Japan's infrastructure ministry, 146 mudslides were reported in 19 of the country’s 47 prefectures. The scale of the damage is yet to be determined as some areas continue to be flooded with deep water.

Japan's Typhoon Hagibis death toll rises to 66
Rescuers continue their operations | Photo Courtesy: KYODO via Japan Times

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they are not slowing down their rescue missions. As many as110,000 police, coast guard, firefighters and Self-Defense Forces personnel are working day and night.

Abe said, "Currently in damaged areas rescue work and searches for the missing are continuing around the clock. Where rivers flooded, work is ongoing to fix spots where banks broke, and water is being pumped out where floods occurred."

He added that the government will not hesitate to use their reserve funds to provide assistance to the victims and reconstruction work.

Abe said, "It is urgent to provide adequate support for the victims. There are concerns that the impact on life and economic activities will be prolonged."


— Sally, The Summit Express



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