Japan Struggles To Deliver Relief To Victims Of Worst Floods In Decades

Japan struggled on Tuesday to restore utilities after its worst weather disaster in 36 years killed 155 people, with survivors facing health risks from broiling temperatures and a lack of water, while rescuers kept up a grim search for victims. Torrential rain unleashed floods and landslides in western Japan last week, bringing death and destruction, especially to neighborhoods built decades ago near steep slopes. About 67 people are missing, the government said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe canceled an overseas trip to cope with the disaster, which at one point forced several million from their homes. Power had been restored to all but 3,500 households but more than 200,000 people remain without water under scorching sun, with temperatures hitting 33 Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) in some of the hardest-hit areas, such as the city of Kurashiki. “There have been requests for setting up air-conditioners due to rising temperatures above 30 degrees today, and at the same time we need to restore lifelines,” Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters after a cabinet meeting. Roads caked in dried mud threw up clouds of dust when rescue vehicles or other cars drove by. Stunned survivors recounted narrow escapes. “It was close. If we had been five minutes later, we would not have made it,” said Yusuke Suwa, who fled by car with his wife early on Saturday when an evacuation order came after midnight. “It was dark and we could not see clearly what was happening, although we knew water was running outside. We did not realize it was becoming such a big deal.”