Japan moves to evacuate millions of people as torrential rain triggers flooding and landslides

Torrential rain triggered severe flooding and landslides across Japan’s Kyushu region on Monday, forcing authorities to call for the evacuation of millions of residents.

In Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, streets and neighbourhoods were submerged under about a metre of water, with rivers overflowing, vehicles swept away, and infrastructure heavily damaged, according to The Japan Times.

Several people remained missing as rescue efforts continued on Monday.