Flooding and mudslides in southern Japan cause missing persons

Heavy rains on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu have caused severe flooding and mudslides, injuring several people and leaving multiple others missing, officials said Monday.

The downpours began late last week in Kagoshima prefecture, where one person went missing and four others were injured. The low-pressure system remained over the region, bringing more rain to northern parts of Kyushu.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest-level warning early Monday for Kumamoto prefecture, while the Fire and Disaster Management Agency advised tens of thousands of residents in Kumamoto and six other prefectures to evacuate.

Rescue teams were searching for several missing persons. In Kumamoto, a family of three was caught in a mudslide while driving to an evacuation center. Two family members were rescued alive, but one remained missing. Additionally, two others were reported missing in different locations within the prefecture.

More people went missing after falling into swollen rivers in Kumamoto and neighboring Fukuoka prefecture.

Television footage showed muddy water rushing through streets, carrying broken trees and debris, as residents waded through floodwaters up to knee level.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the government was fully supporting rescue operations and relief efforts in the affected areas. He urged people to "use maximum caution" and "prioritize actions to save your lives."

The heavy rains also disrupted travel during Japan's Buddhist Bon holiday week. Bullet trains between Kagoshima and Hakata, as well as local train services, were suspended Monday morning. Partial services resumed where rainfall had eased.

Around 6,000 households in Kumamoto experienced power outages, Kyushu Electric Power Company reported.