Typhoon Hagibis: Death Toll Mounts To 26 As Devastating Winds And Torrential Rains Hit Japan

Japan has launched a huge operation to provide humanitarian assistance and assess the damage wrought by typhoon Hagibis after its hurricane-force winds and torrential rain killed at least 26 people and sparked major flooding in parts of the country.

At least 26 people are known to have died in the storm and 18 people are still missing in central, eastern and northern areas of the main Honshu island while another 175 were injured, Efe news reported on Sunday (13 October), citing the latest figures from rescue agencies and local authorities collected by Japanese media.

Public broadcaster NHK released dramatic footage of a helicopter rescue as well as boats travelling through flooded residential areas on Sunday as at least 12 rivers burst their banks.

In Nagano prefecture - one of the worst affected by the storm - torrential rains caused the Chikuma river to overflow and flood nearby localities, carrying away vehicles in its torrent.

In Sano, Tochigi prefecture, the overflowing Akiyama river flooded a residential area and rescue teams were evacuating locals.

The central government has deployed around 27,000 soldiers of the Self-Defence Forces (military) to take part in the rescue efforts, local news agency Kyodo reported.

In Tokyo, the waters of the Tama river were also flowing above the limit and the lower floors of some buildings, including a hospital, had been flooded.

The country's road network was also affected and the flooding of some of them left some areas isolated.

Although services were being restored gradually, more than 800 flights remain cancelled on Sunday, according to NHK.

(With inputs from IANS)