Japan floods leave up to 34 dead, many at nursing homes

Deep floodwaters and the risk of more mudslides have hampered search and rescue operations Sunday (local time) in southern Japan, including at elderly home facilities where more than a dozen died and scores were still stranded.

At least 34 people are confirmed or presumed dead.

Helicopters and boats rescued more people from their homes in the Kumamoto region. More than 40,000 defense troops, the coast guard and fire brigades were taking part in the operation.

Large areas along the Kuma River were swallowed by floodwaters, with many houses, buildings and vehicles submerged almost up to their roofs. Mudslides smashed into houses, sending people atop rooftops waving at rescuers.

At a flooded elderly care home in Kuma Village, where 14 residents were presumed dead after rescuers reached them on Saturday, rescue continued Sunday for the dozens of remaining residents and caregivers.

Sixty-five residents and about 30 caregivers were trapped at the riverside care facility Senjuen when floodwaters and mud gushed in.

All remaining 51 residents, including three who had hypothermia, had been rescued by boats and taken to hospitals for treatment by Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Shigemitsu Sakoda, a local rafting company operator who joined defense troops in the rescue effort at the nursing home, said floodwaters were still high on the first floor when they arrived at the scene on rafts.

"So we smashed windows with a hammer to get in," he told Japanese broadcaster NHK.

Soldiers went up to the roof to rescue survivors who were able to go upstairs while the waters rose, he said.

"Unfortunately, some of the residents could not make it to the second floor," Mr Sakoda said.

Overall, 18 people were confirmed dead, while 16 others, including those at the nursing home, were presumed dead. Fourteen others were still missing as of Sunday afternoon. Dozens of others were still trapped in inundated areas waiting to be rescued, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.