Japan has asked locals to seek shelter and prepare for emergency evacuations as torrential rain triggered floods and landslides have put nearly two million lives in danger.<o:p></o:p>

In the western region of Japan, landslides and floods led to the death of at least one local and three people who have been reported missing.<o:p></o:p>

Seven regions have issued the highest level of evacuation orders as the level of rains are expected to increase in the near future. The order has mainly been issued for residents of the Kyushu island.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-suga-urges-travel-curbs-as-covid-19-cases-surge-before-paralympics-405197">Japan PM Suga urges travel curbs as COVID-19 cases surge before Paralympics</a>

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While rescue operations have already begun, a 59-year-old woman has been declared dead and two of her family members are reported missing after a landslide razed two houses in the Unzen and Nagasaki.<o:p></o:p>

"More than 150 troops, police and firefighters were dispatched to the site for rescue operations,"&nbsp;Takumi Kumasaki&nbsp;told news agency AFP. "They are carefully searching for the missing residents while watching out for further mudslides as the heavy rain continues."

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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-39-910-tonne-ship-splits-in-two-and-spills-oil-off-japans-coast-405004">Watch: 39, 910-tonne ship splits in two and spills oil off Japan's coast</a>

The reason behind 14 rivers bursting their banks and 14 landslides is climate change, scientists have claimed. Experts believe climate change is increasing the risk of heavy rainfalls in the area as a warmer temperature holds more water.<o:p></o:p>

"It's highly likely that some kind of disaster has already occurred,"&nbsp;Yushi Adachi, a meteorological agency official told local reporters. "The maximum alert is needed even in areas where risks of landslides and flooding are usually not so high."<o:p></o:p>

Local news reports have shown rescue officials going in boats to evacuate and save the locals from the affected areas.<o:p></o:p>

Japan has asked locals to seek shelter and prepare for emergency evacuations as torrential rain triggered floods and landslides have put nearly two million lives in danger.

Japan has asked locals to seek shelter and prepare for emergency evacuations as torrential rain triggered floods and landslides have put nearly two million lives in danger. In the western region of Japan, landslides and floods led to the death of at least one local and three people who have been reported missing. Seven regions have issued the highest level of evacuation orders as the level of rains are expected to increase in the near future. The order has mainly been issued for residents of the Kyushu island. Also read | Japan PM Suga urges travel curbs as COVID-19 cases surge before Paralympics While rescue operations have already begun, a 59-year-old woman has been declared dead and two of her family members are reported missing after a landslide razed two houses in the Unzen and Nagasaki. "More than 150 troops, police and firefighters were dispatched to the site for rescue operations," Takumi Kumasaki told news agency AFP. "They are carefully searching for the missing residents while watching out for further mudslides as the heavy rain continues." Also read | Watch: 39, 910-tonne ship splits in two and spills oil off Japan's coast The reason behind 14 rivers bursting their banks and 14 landslides is climate change, scientists have claimed. Experts believe climate change is increasing the risk of heavy rainfalls in the area as a warmer temperature holds more water. "It's highly likely that some kind of disaster has already occurred," Yushi Adachi, a meteorological agency official told local reporters. "The maximum alert is needed even in areas where risks of landslides and flooding are usually not so high." Local news reports have shown rescue officials going in boats to evacuate and save the locals from the affected areas.

Several areas in Japan issue evacuation alert after floods and landslides

The landslides were triggered by torrential downpours - with some areas receiving more rain in 24 hours than they would usually get for the whole of July.

80 people still missing after landslides in Japan

Search and rescue teams in Japan are continuously searching for missing people after a town was hit by a deadly landslide as heavy rains lashed the area.<o:p></o:p>

Till now, two people have been confirmed dead, 10 have been rescued but nearly 20 people are still missing, a government official reported.<o:p></o:p>

As the landslide hit the area, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called together an emergency task force to tackle the crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-2-dead-20-missing-in-landslide-395644">WATCH |</a>

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"We resumed rescue operations early in the morning with some 1,000 rescuers, including 140 troops," an official told news agency AFP. "We are trying our best to search for survivors as quickly as possible while carrying out the operation very carefully as it is still raining."

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The heavy rains and storm led to loose wires dangling, roofs coming down and sinkholes appeared in roads, making it difficult for people to run away from the area to security.<o:p></o:p>

Since the landslide, nearly 2,800 homes have been left without power as the town, around 90 kilometres (55 miles) southwest of Tokyo, saw rainfall of 313 millimetres in just 48 hours to Saturday.<o:p></o:p>

Search and rescue teams in Japan are continuously searching for missing people after a town was hit by a deadly landslide as heavy rains lashed the area. Till now, two people have been confirmed dead, 10 have been rescued but nearly 20 people are still missing, a government official reported.

Search and rescue teams in Japan are continuously searching for missing people after a town was hit by a deadly landslide as heavy rains lashed the area. Till now, two people have been confirmed dead, 10 have been rescued but nearly 20 people are still missing, a government official reported. As the landslide hit the area, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called together an emergency task force to tackle the crisis. WATCH | × "We resumed rescue operations early in the morning with some 1,000 rescuers, including 140 troops," an official told news agency AFP. "We are trying our best to search for survivors as quickly as possible while carrying out the operation very carefully as it is still raining." The heavy rains and storm led to loose wires dangling, roofs coming down and sinkholes appeared in roads, making it difficult for people to run away from the area to security. Since the landslide, nearly 2,800 homes have been left without power as the town, around 90 kilometres (55 miles) southwest of Tokyo, saw rainfall of 313 millimetres in just 48 hours to Saturday.

Japan landslide: Rescue teams continue searching as 2 declared dead, at least 20 missing

Two people are dead and at least 19 others are missing after a huge landslide caused by days of heavy rain swept away homes in central Japan on Saturday.

At least two people dead and 20 missing after powerful landslide hits Japan

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Several areas in Japan issue evacuation alert after floods and landslides

80 people still missing after landslides in Japan

Japan landslide: Rescue teams continue searching as 2 declared dead, at least 20 missing

At least two people dead and 20 missing after powerful landslide hits Japan