70 confirmed dead due to heavy rain, flooding in southwestern Japan

The record-breaking torrential rain which battered Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu since last weekend has left 70 people dead as of Sunday, as rescuers continued operations to search for the missing people.

   Among the 70 fatalities, 63 were from the hard-hit Kumamoto Prefecture. Meanwhile, one is without vital signs and 13 others remain missing in the Kyushu region.

   According to the land ministry, as of Sunday, 102 rivers in 12 prefectures had overflowed their banks and there had been 302 cases of damage due to landslides in 27 prefectures.

   The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of further mudslides and overflowing rivers as heavy rainfall is again expected to intensify in western Japan from Monday.

   Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government would do its utmost to swiftly rebuild areas devastated by the floods and landslides.