FUKUOKA/OITA- Self-Defense Forces troops, police officers and others started their search operations in full scale in the small hours of Thursday in the southwestern Japan prefectures of Fukuoka and Oita, where around 10 people remain unaccounted for after record rainfall hit the region.

Those engaged in the operations total some 7,500, according to the government,

As soon as the weather gets better, 40 or more helicopters will be introduced for airlifting stranded people in areas isolated after roads were cut off due to floods and landslides.

On Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued special emergency warnings for heavy rain caused by an intensified seasonal rain front in the two prefectures. As of Thursday morning, the warnings remain in force in 20 municipalities in Fukuoka and 12 municipalities in Oita.

Evacuation advisories were issued for over 300,000 people in the city of Kurume and over 50,000 people in the city of Asakura, both in Fukuoka Prefecture.

In Asakura, three Fukuoka prefectural government officials engaged in road patrol activities went missing but were later confirmed safe. Local police have also received reports that a child was washed away in a flood and that two people were buried alive in a landslide.

At least 1,000 residents of Asakura evacuated to a total of 13 facilities, including an elementary school in the Hakihoshimaru district, where 54 people, including 18 elementary school children, took shelter. As this elementary school got inundated with floods on the first floor, the evacuees started moving to a junior high school with the help of Ground SDF troops.

The government held a meeting of related cabinet ministers on Thursday morning to discuss responses to the heavy rain disaster in southwestern Japan.

At the opening of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso instructed other ministers to grasp the damage situation and make utmost efforts to save the lives of affected people. (Jiji Press)