日本暴雨成災

Heavy rains in already drenched areas of central and northern Japan caused major flooding Thursday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate and setting off dramatic rescues of those who could not get out in time.

The worst hit area was the city of Joso, about 50 kilometers northeast of the capital, Tokyo, where the banks of the Kinugawa River could not contain the swell of water that surged out into the surrounding community.

The floodwaters swept away houses, and in the buildings that remained, people climbed to balconies and rooftops seeking help. Television cameras captured the scenes of multiple rescues as military helicopters flew in overhead and pulled multiple people up to safety.

One man stood on a log and clung to a power pole as the water passed all around him. He was later rescued.

"At this point we have no clear idea of the casualties," VOA correspondent Steve Herman said from Tokyo. "Two people are reported missing, but if you see the scenes of devastation, I think a lot of people would say it'll be miraculous if the casualty count is not higher."

Japan has seen extensive rains this week from what was Typhoon Etau, with rainfall totals in some areas exceeding 50 centimeters.

Japan's Meteorological Agency posted widespread warnings, urging people to be ready for more flooding and landslides.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Thursday to focus on the hardest hit areas and "prioritize the safety of the people."日本中部和東部部分地區星期四再降暴雨，引發洪水，數萬人被迫撤離。當局大力搶救沒能及時撤出的居民，場面驚險。

受災最嚴重的是東京東北約50公里的常總市。當地的鬼怒川河河水暴漲，漫到周圍社區。

一些房屋被水沖走。在未被沖垮的房屋裏，人們爬到涼臺和屋頂尋求幫助。當局派出軍用直升機救人，電視鏡頭顯示多個救援的場景，有名男子在洪水中站在一根木頭上，緊緊地抱住電線杆，後來獲救。

美國之音駐東京記者赫爾曼在東京說，“目前還不知道洪水造成多大傷亡。據報道有兩人失蹤。但從災區被破壞的情景來看，許多人會說，如果傷亡人數僅此而已，那真是奇蹟。”

颱風艾濤本星期給日本帶來暴雨。有些地區的降雨量超過50釐米。

日本氣象廳廣泛發佈警告，敦促居民準備對付更多的洪水和滑坡。

日本首相安倍晉三星期四表示集中救助災情最嚴重的地區，“優先考慮人民的安全”。