Japan Self-Defence Force soldiers search for missing people at an area hit by landslides caused by heavy rains in Aso, Kumamoto prefecture
Almost a quarter of a million people were ordered to leave their homes in southwest Japan Saturday as heavy rain pounded the area for the third day, with 20 already dead, officials and reports said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of more landslides and floods on the main southern island of Kyushu as rainfall of up to 11 centimetres (4.3 inches) per hour was recorded early Saturday.
Evacuation orders had been issued to about 240,000 people in the north of Kyushu where more rivers burst their banks, public broadcaster NHK and Jiji Press news agency reported, compiling figures from various authorities.
They were told to go to designated shelters such as schools and other public facilities, while more people were advised to leave their homes.
