Japan: Aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis causes hindrance for rescue ops

A huge number of rescue officials were on the lookout on October 14 with a hope to find survivors of a devastating hurricane that claimed the lives of 56 individuals, in a hostile environment with fresh rains causing a hindrance for them. Hurricane Hagibis struck the nation on October 12, with high-intensity winds and heavy downpour over 36 of Japan's 47 districts that caused landslides and floods posing a threat to the Japanese citizens.

Crucial time for Japan

Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe stated that a lot of people are still missing and efforts are being put in to find them at any cost. In addition to this, the nation's meteorological department stated that with the possibility of a downpour in the coming days, floods and landslides could pose a threat to both infrastructure and human beings. 

Read: Typhoon Hagibis Hits Japan, At Least 31 Dead

In a public address, Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary, requested every single person to stay alert at all times and keep an eye for possible landslides and floods. In addition to this, people were worried about the consistent rains hampering the ongoing rescue operations. 

According to a representative of the coast guard, one of the casualties included a worker whose car was flipped due to floods and at least 7 crew members on board a cargo ship died as the ship sank in the Tokyo Bay.

While four other crew members, from China, Myanmar, and Vietnam, were rescued when the vessel sank as the coast guard was still looking for the last remaining member. 

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Hagibis: One of the most dangerous Typhoons to hit Japan in decades

While Hagibis, one of the most dangerous Typhoons to hit Japan in decades, came in with wind speeds up to 216kmh, it was the consistent downpour that caused the most damage in the typhoon-hit areas.

In Nagano, a crack in a embankment designed to stop water from overflowing resulted in water from the Chikuma stream spouting into the areas that were nearby, completely flooding homes. 

As the water gradually receded, patients were being moved by rescue vehicles from a Nagano emergency clinic where about 200 patients were left stranded due to the flooding. In a different area, rescuers used helicopters to save survivors from rooftops or by boats through muddy waters in flood and landslide-hit areas.

Read: Elderly Woman Falls From Rescue Helicopter In Japan: Typhoon Hagibis

Read: INS Sahyadri & INS Kiltan Reach Japan Amid Havoc Caused By Hagibis

(With inputs from agencies)