In Pictures

In Pictures: Desperate searches as dozens die in Japan floods

Thousands of rescue workers search through the wreckage of houses to look for survivors as nearly 40 are feared dead.

epaselect epa08526688 An aerial view shows rescue operations in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, 04 July 2020. Local authorities asked the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents i — Rescue operations under way in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture. Local authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents in Japan's southwestern prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima following floods and mudslides triggered by torrential rain. [JIJI Press via EPA]

Tens of thousands of rescue workers in Japan have been searching through the wreckage of houses shattered by deadly floods and landslides in a desperate search for survivors amid a rising death toll and looming torrential rain.

Nearly 40 people are feared dead after record rains lashed areas of southwestern Japan in the early hours of Saturday, causing rivers to break banks and flooding low-lying regions.

Although the rain has subsided from its peak levels, the floods washed away roads and bridges, leaving many in isolated communities cut off.

Emergency services, aided by people in rafts, managed to rescue about 50 staff and residents from a nursing home facility, bringing them to safety by boat.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a non-compulsory evacuation order for hundreds of thousands of residents in Kumamoto and neighbouring Kagoshima prefectures.

Up to 250mm of rain is expected in the 24-hour period through Tuesday morning in the southern part of Kyushu Island, which includes areas hit hard by the flooding, the agency said.

Japan is currently in the middle of its annual rainy season which frequently delivers deadly floods and landslides.

An aerial view shows flooded Kuma River caused by heavy rain at a residential area in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 4, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/ — Heavy rain flooded the Kuma River near a residential area in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Local residents practice social distancing amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak as they rest in the evacuation centre for the affected by the flooded area caused by heavy rain along Kuma R — Residents practise social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak as they rest in an evacuation centre for those affected by the floods along Kuma River in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Police officers search for missing people at a landslide site caused by a heavy rain in Tsunagi town, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 5, 2020. Mandatory credit K — Police officers search for missing people at a landslide site caused by the heavy rain in Tsunagi town, Kumamoto prefecture. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Local residents are rescued by Japanese Self-Defence Force soldiers using a boat at a flooding area caused by a heavy rain in Kuma village, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by — Residents are rescued by Japanese Self-Defence Force soldiers in Kuma village, Kumamoto prefecture. [Kyodo via Reuters]

A car is pictured after it was drifted by torrential rain in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 6, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDI — A car carried by flood waters in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture. Heavy rain is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon.[Kyodo via Reuters]

epa08528721 A house is seen destroyed following a landslide in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, 05 July 2020. According to latest media reports, more than 30 people are feared to hav — A house is destroyed following a landslide in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture. [JIJI Press via EPA]

epa08528927 A street is covered with mud and debris in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, 05 July 2020. According to latest madia reports, more than 30 people are feared to have died — A street covered with mud and debris in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture. [JIJI Press via EPA]

epa08529884 Local residents gather in a shelter at a gymnasium in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, 06 July 2020. According to latest madia reports, 39 people are feared to have died and at least — Residents gather in a shelter at a gymnasium in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture. [JIJI Press via EPA]

epa08529885 A road is destroyed due the floods near the Kuma river in Ashikita, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, 06 July 2020. According to latest madia reports, 39 people are feared to have died and at le — Although the rain has subsided from its peak levels, the floods washed away roads and bridges, leaving many in isolated communities cut off. [JIJI Press via EPA]