Tokyo, Sep 23 (V7N) — At least six people have lost their lives, and 10 remain missing after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture. The cities of Wajima and Suzu have been the worst affected by the severe weather, which began on Saturday and continued until Monday afternoon.

Local media reported that rainfall in Wajima and Suzu on Sunday was double the normal September average, causing dozens of rivers to overflow and inundating nearby roads. Rescue workers recovered two bodies from a landslide-damaged tunnel in Wajima, while an elderly man, two other older men, and an elderly woman were confirmed among the dead.

The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued a maximum alert for the Ishikawa region on Saturday, downgrading it to a general alert by Sunday. However, with rain continuing until Monday afternoon, authorities urged residents to remain cautious.

The devastation also affected temporary housing set up for those displaced by a severe earthquake earlier this year, leaving many in a dire situation. Footage from NHK showed significant flooding, with entire roads submerged in water.

The Hokuriku Electric Power Company reported that around 4,000 homes were left without power on Monday. More than 40,000 people across four cities, including Wajima, Suzu, and Noto, have been evacuated. Authorities have also issued evacuation orders to 16,000 residents in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, located north of Ishikawa.

Rescue operations are ongoing as the region battles to recover from the worst effects of the disaster.

END/AJ/MSS