Pacific Storm Rakes Eastern Japan, 20 Dead, 50 Missing

Posted September 4th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
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Record rains and mudslides in western Japan from a powerful, slow-moving Pacific storm have left at least 20 people dead and 50 others missing.

Japan public television, in a report Sunday, said swollen rivers from tropical storm Talas swept away buildings in Wakayama Prefecture, as landslides crushed houses in Tanabe city. The network said other deaths occurred in western and southern Japan, and that more than 100 others have been injured.

Talas made landfall Saturday as a typhoon on the island of Shikoku, slowly moving north to Honshu island.

Forecasters on Sunday said Talas was moving into the Sea of Japan.