Chiba Downpour Death Toll Rises to 11

Chiba, Aug. 18 (Jiji Press)–The death toll from Thursday’s record-breaking rain in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, has risen to 11, the prefectural government’s disaster response headquarters said Tuesday. The body of a man in his 60s was newly discovered in the city of Ichihara. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, the body of an unidentified man was found along a river in Wakaba Ward in the prefectural capital city of Chiba. Prefectural police and others are investigating whether his death was related to the heavy rain. According to the disaster response headquarters, two people remain missing, two suffered serious injuries and 34 sustained minor injuries. One of the missing persons may be the man found in Ichihara, and work is underway to confirm his identity. A total of 2,140 homes suffered above- or below-floor inundation. Work to remove vehicles abandoned in the torrential rain and subsequent flooding has faced difficulties. In response, the prefectural government will hold the first meeting of a team established with the central government, the Chiba city government and towing companies later on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai is scheduled to inspect flood-hit areas in the city of Oamishirasato the same day. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]