Rescue operations are underway in the Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures in Japan, where dozens of people are stranded after torrential rain triggered severe floods in the region, as HNGN previously reported.
At least two people have been confirmed dead and 25 people are still missing with people in Joso City forced to their rooftops, waiting to be rescued by military helicopters.
Some 51 helicopters and approximately 6,000 rescuers worked through the night to help those stranded and move them to a temporary shelter. In Joso city alone, nearly 700 people were still stranded and waiting to be rescued as of Thursday evening.
Nearly 3,500 people in the flood-affected area have given shelter at schools, community centers and other safer areas.
Akira Motokawa, a city evacuation official said that rescue workers have not been able to keep up with the number of rescue calls.
An evacuation warning has also been issued in Sendai, capital of the Miyagi prefecture Friday morning, after the Nanakitagawa River flooded in Izumi ward, submerging homes and fields across the region, according to BBC News.
Miyagi prefecture's rural city of Osaki was also overwhelmed after The Shubui River burst its banks on Friday morning, deluging rice fields and homes. Rescue operations via boat and helicopter are ongoing in the area.
In Joso City, located just northeast of Tokyo, 62-year-old Hisaka Sekimoto spent a sleepless night on the second level of her flooded house along with her husband and three cats before being rescued by a military helicopter early on Friday.
Shortly after floodwater surged into her home, all of their furniture was floating and the water level had reached up to her neck
"There was no time to escape - all we could do was go upstairs. It was horrifying," she said, according to The Associated Press. "I kept praying the water wouldn't come upstairs."
Reiko Yamaji, 75, was stranded at a supermarket along with several others, as the first floor of the store was submerged under water.
"We spent the night in the car parked on the rooftop parking lot. Water was cut and toilets were out of service, but I'm so glad we all survived," Yamaji said, with tears in her eyes.
