Japan, hundreds of thousands evacuated for Typhoon Etau: "It 'like a tsunami'
Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Rescue operations are continuing in Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture city of 50 km far from Tokyo swept away by the waters of the River Kinugawa. Rescue workers are engaged in the search for at least 22 missing, while dozens of people have been airlifted by military helicopters after spending the night on the roofs of buildings. The government has ordered the evacuation of more than 30 thousand people, since the torrential rains that are hitting the country continue unabated.
Dozens of homes have been washed away and more than 3,500 people have been brought to evacuation centers. The passage of Typhoon Etau, downgraded to a "Tropical Storm", is about to hit the eastern part of Japan. The National Meteorological Agency has issued an alert for the prefecture of Miyagi and warned of the possibility of new floods in the coming hours. The situation, said the director Takuya Deshimaru, "is abnormal. The area is at risk. "
In Sendai, the authorities have asked 412 thousand to be ready to leave their homes. Akira Motokawa, a Joso city official, told NHK microphones that rescuers were able to keep up with requests for help. The Agency for Disaster Management said that 22 people were injured by the storms in the last two days, including three elderly women. It is unclear whether or not there are victims.
Jiro Nakayama, 70, said: "In front of me I saw scenes similar to those of the tsunami of 2011". Hisako Sekimoto, 62, spent the night on the roof before being rescued by a military helicopter: "I spent the night awake, there was no time to get out only to climb stairs. It was horrible, I continued to pray that the water would not sweep us away ".
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