Typhon Hagibis, Japan mourns 68 victims

Large regions of the country are still paralyzed due to floods. The banks of 47 rivers collapsed in 66 locations. A total of 146 landslides recorded in 19 prefectures; water and mud have submerged about 10 thousand homes. Population invited to protect themselves from infections with masks, gloves and sanitizers.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The death toll from typhoon Hagibis has risen to 68, while rescuers are engaged in a race against time to save 15 people who are still missing. The storm hit Japan on the night between 12 and 13 October, triggering strong winds and record torrential rains in 36 of the 47 prefectures. Large regions of the country are still paralyzed due to floods.

The authorities are trying to get a complete picture of the damage. The Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed that the banks of 47 rivers collapsed in 66 locations. Officials could not provide more details as they were unable to reach some areas due to high water levels.

The most powerful typhoon to hit Japan in recent decades has also caused landslides and power outages in various parts of the country. The government registered a total of 146 landslides in 19 prefectures; water and mud have submerged about 10 thousand homes.

Residents of the areas affected by the typhoon begin are beginning to return to their homes to clean them up. Government officials urge them to protect themselves from infection by wearing masks, gloves and using sanitizing agents.

The Minister of Industry, Isshu Sugawara, reports that the number of homes without electricity has dropped significantly from a peak of around 520,000, but this morning 34,000 were still subject to power cuts. These include many houses in Chiba prefecture, an area that has also suffered a prolonged absence of service after the passage of Typhoon Faxai at the beginning of September.

The Ministry of Health declares that the number of homes without water is 133 thousand in 13 prefectures. While most railroad networks in Japan have returned to normal, some sections only offer limited services or remain closed. Over 200 elementary, middle, and public high schools have been temprarily closed in seven prefectures, including Fukushima and Nagano, where the Chikuma river has broken its banks, trapping hundreds of people.