Japan floods: 3 dead and dozens missing

Disastrous floods have left three dead and dozens missing in Japan, as thousands of rescuers seek to evacuate trapped residents north of Tokyo, SBS reported Friday.

Local media said at least 25 people, including a pair of eight-year-old children are missing in disaster-struck Joso city.

The community of 65,000 has been hammered after a levee gave way, causing whole houses to be swept away by raging torrents.

Unprecedented rain in Japan unleashed heavy floods on Friday that forced more than 100,000 people from their homes.

Helicopters hovering over swirling, muddy waters rescued many people from the roofs of their homes. Two people were missing and at least 17 were injured.

Some areas received double the usual September rainfall in 48 hours after tropical storm Etau swept across Japan's main island of Honshu. In some places, rain-swollen rivers burst their banks.

A 63-year old woman was missing in a landslide that hit her home while a man in his 70s in the town of Joso, 56 km (35 miles) north of Tokyo, was feared trapped when water engulfed his home, NHK national television said.

Source: MENA