Death toll from landslide rises to 19 in Japan

OSAKA - The death toll of landslides and floods triggered by Thursday's heavy rains in southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu, has risen to 19, with eight missing, local media reported on Friday.  

At least 18 people were found dead and seven others went missing after landslides hit several houses in Aso City and its surrounding region of Kumamoto Prefecture which saw a record 500 mm of rain on Thursday, said Japan's public broadcaster Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK).

Rescue operation continued throughout the night at the disaster sites but the search was temporarily suspended due to persistent rain on Friday morning, the report said.    

Aso City advised more than 28,000 people to evacuate their houses as downpour continued on Friday.  

Meanwhile, in Taketa City of Oita Prefecture, a man was found dead after he fell into a swelling river and another man went missing after he went out to see his rice field on Thursday.  

Weather authorities said that as a seasonal rain front moves north, heavy rainfall may trigger further floods and landslides in a wide area of Kyushu Island which  may see hourly rainfall between 50 and 60 mm on Friday afternoon.