Typhon Hagibis floods more than 23,000 hectares

About 33,000 homes are under water with some 1,700 destroyed. Japan’s Defence Ministry mobilised 31,000 soldiers and 200 reserve members. Naruhito's enthronement ceremony will be moved to 10 November.


Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – More than 23,000 hectares have been flooded on Honshu after the island was hit by a powerful typhoon with heavy rainfall and winds, the land ministry said today.

The typhoon caused rivers to overflow causing the collapse of more than a hundred embankments.

As of today, more than 33,000 homes have been inundated with some 1,700 homes partially or completely destroyed. The death toll now stands at 77 with more than a dozen people still missing.

For its part, the weather agency has issued warnings that more rain is on its way on Friday through Saturday.

The Defence Ministry announced that the country’ Self-Defence Forces mobilised 31,000 members, plus 200 reserve members, handing out supplies, providing baths and support.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Fukushima prefecture, where 27 deaths have been confirmed, and met with the affected at an evacuation centre in the city of Koriyama.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the government is considering postponing the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor, Naruhito, which had been slated for next Tuesday. The most likely date now is 10 November.