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Typhoon Hagibis: Japan deploys 110,000 rescuers after worst storm in decades | Typhoon Hagibis: Japan deploys 110,000 rescuers after worst storm in decades |
(32 minutes later) | |
More than 110,000 people are taking part in search and rescue operations after Typhoon Hagibis struck Japan on Saturday. | More than 110,000 people are taking part in search and rescue operations after Typhoon Hagibis struck Japan on Saturday. |
The typhoon - the worst storm to hit the country in decades - has left at least 40 dead, with 16 missing. | The typhoon - the worst storm to hit the country in decades - has left at least 40 dead, with 16 missing. |
Typhoon Hagibis also caused the cancellation of three Rugby World Cup matches but a key match between Japan and Scotland went ahead. | Typhoon Hagibis also caused the cancellation of three Rugby World Cup matches but a key match between Japan and Scotland went ahead. |
Japan won 28-21 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. | Japan won 28-21 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. |
Afterwards, national team coach Jamie Joseph paid tribute to those affected. | Afterwards, national team coach Jamie Joseph paid tribute to those affected. |
"Everyone who is suffering with the typhoon, this game was all for you guys. The crowd was massive for us, and today was more than just a game," he said. | "Everyone who is suffering with the typhoon, this game was all for you guys. The crowd was massive for us, and today was more than just a game," he said. |
The typhoon has weakened and moved away from land but has left a trail of destruction. | The typhoon has weakened and moved away from land but has left a trail of destruction. |
Thousands of police officers, firefighters, coastguards and military are working to reach those trapped by landslides and floods. | |
The typhoon battered eight prefectures across Japan, with wind speeds of up to 225km/h (140mph). | The typhoon battered eight prefectures across Japan, with wind speeds of up to 225km/h (140mph). |
In the central prefecture of Nagano, group of rescuers wearing snorkels and goggles began searching for survivors in waist-high water. | In the central prefecture of Nagano, group of rescuers wearing snorkels and goggles began searching for survivors in waist-high water. |
A train depot in Nagano was also flooded, causing 10 high-speed ("bullet") trains to be submerged. Each train has been valued at $30m (£23m). | A train depot in Nagano was also flooded, causing 10 high-speed ("bullet") trains to be submerged. Each train has been valued at $30m (£23m). |
The Prime Minister's Office of Japan said the rescuers would focus on "houses isolated by floods... and search for those unaccounted for". | The Prime Minister's Office of Japan said the rescuers would focus on "houses isolated by floods... and search for those unaccounted for". |
An extraordinary flood control system | An extraordinary flood control system |
Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, BBC Tokyo Correspondent | Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, BBC Tokyo Correspondent |
There are many remarkable things about what has just happened in Japan. One is that Tokyo took a direct hit from the biggest storm in half a century, and survived pretty much unscathed. | There are many remarkable things about what has just happened in Japan. One is that Tokyo took a direct hit from the biggest storm in half a century, and survived pretty much unscathed. |
That is a testament to Tokyo's extraordinary flood control system - an elaborate underground system of pipes big enough to fit an airliner through - which cost billions of dollars to build. | That is a testament to Tokyo's extraordinary flood control system - an elaborate underground system of pipes big enough to fit an airliner through - which cost billions of dollars to build. |
The second is the extent of the destruction - stretching right across Honshu, from Mie prefecture in the west, to Iwate in the north - an area equivalent to the whole of the United Kingdom. | The second is the extent of the destruction - stretching right across Honshu, from Mie prefecture in the west, to Iwate in the north - an area equivalent to the whole of the United Kingdom. |
Flooding has been worst in Nagano prefecture, an area deep in the mountains, more used to worrying about snow. | Flooding has been worst in Nagano prefecture, an area deep in the mountains, more used to worrying about snow. |
Typhoon Hagibis was not only exceptionally large, it came very late in the season. Japan's typhoon season used to last from July to September. | Typhoon Hagibis was not only exceptionally large, it came very late in the season. Japan's typhoon season used to last from July to September. |
But it is getting longer, and the storms are getting bigger. A study published in 2015 found that since the late 1970s typhoons hitting the coastlines of east Asia had become around 15% stronger, and the number of super typhoons had doubled. | But it is getting longer, and the storms are getting bigger. A study published in 2015 found that since the late 1970s typhoons hitting the coastlines of east Asia had become around 15% stronger, and the number of super typhoons had doubled. |
Japan has probably the best flood defences of any country in Asia, if not the world. Tokyo's flood system is designed to withstand a once in a hundred-year event. | Japan has probably the best flood defences of any country in Asia, if not the world. Tokyo's flood system is designed to withstand a once in a hundred-year event. |
But the rest of Japan - and other mega cities like Shanghai and Manila - are not nearly so well prepared. | But the rest of Japan - and other mega cities like Shanghai and Manila - are not nearly so well prepared. |
Around 92,000 households remain without power - down from 262,000 households on Sunday - with 120,000 experiencing water outages. | Around 92,000 households remain without power - down from 262,000 households on Sunday - with 120,000 experiencing water outages. |
More than seven million people were urged to leave their homes at the peak of the storm, but it is thought only 50,000 stayed in shelters. | More than seven million people were urged to leave their homes at the peak of the storm, but it is thought only 50,000 stayed in shelters. |
The capital Tokyo was left relatively unscathed but other cities and towns across the country were inundated by water. | The capital Tokyo was left relatively unscathed but other cities and towns across the country were inundated by water. |
More than 1m (3ft) of rain fell in the town of Hakone, the highest total ever recorded in Japan over 48 hours. | More than 1m (3ft) of rain fell in the town of Hakone, the highest total ever recorded in Japan over 48 hours. |
In Nagano, levees along the Chikuma river gave way, sending flood water into residential areas. | In Nagano, levees along the Chikuma river gave way, sending flood water into residential areas. |
It was only last month that Typhoon Faxai wreaked havoc on parts of Japan, damaging 30,000 homes, most of which have not yet been repaired. | It was only last month that Typhoon Faxai wreaked havoc on parts of Japan, damaging 30,000 homes, most of which have not yet been repaired. |